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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: key · plane · perch · pop · suit · branch · fork · can

  1. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  3. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  4. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. You don't need to ________________ round.
  13. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  16. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  17. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. We're almost out of ________________.
  20. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. fork — in a road
  3. branch — of a bank
  4. branch — a division
  5. plane — a tool
  6. perch — for a bird
  7. key — for a lock
  8. can — to be able to
  9. can — a tin
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. key — in music
  12. pop — to visit
  13. fork — a garden tool
  14. suit — in cards
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. pop — music
  17. fork — to eat with
  18. can — a tin
  19. pop — soda
  20. perch — the fish
  21. key — the most important part
  22. suit — clothes
  23. branch — of a tree
  24. plane — an aircraft

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