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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: branch · can · mouse · bulb · jam · club · safe · board

  1. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  12. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  22. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  23. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. branch — a division
  2. bulb — for light
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. can — a tin
  6. can — a tin
  7. board — a flat piece
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. club — a group
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. board — to get on
  12. jam — a tight spot
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. club — for dancing
  16. bulb — for light
  17. can — to be able to
  18. club — for golf
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. branch — of a tree
  22. board — a committee
  23. branch — of a bank
  24. safe — out of danger

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com