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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 120 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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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 · bank · coach · current · cue · rock · nail · bulb

  1. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  2. The ________________ went through the wall.
  3. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  4. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  14. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  18. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  19. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  20. Have you met the new head ________________?
  21. I've got to change the light ________________.
  22. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  23. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  24. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — on a finger
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. branch — of a tree
  4. bank — for money
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. bank — for money
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. branch — of a bank
  9. cue — a hint
  10. bulb — for light
  11. rock — a stone
  12. current — electric
  13. current — of water
  14. nail — for a hammer
  15. rock — music
  16. cue — for pool
  17. cue — a signal
  18. current — happening now
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. bulb — for light
  22. branch — a division
  23. coach — pulled by horses
  24. bank — of a river

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