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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.

Make a worksheet

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

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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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 · bay · foot · bulb · key · mouse · object · nail

  1. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  2. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  6. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  7. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  8. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  9. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  12. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. The ________________ went through the wall.
  16. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  17. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  18. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  19. This piece is in a major ________________.
  20. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  21. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  22. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. nail — on a finger
  2. branch — a division
  3. key — the most important part
  4. bulb — for light
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. foot — part of the body
  7. bay — a part of the sea
  8. object — an aim
  9. object — a thing
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. foot — a measure
  12. mouse — for a computer
  13. bulb — for light
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. branch — of a tree
  18. branch — of a bank
  19. key — in music
  20. bay — to keep at bay
  21. foot — the bottom
  22. object — to protest
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. key — for a lock

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