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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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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: current · ground · branch · rush · cue · toast · coach · cabinet

  1. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  2. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  3. Have you met the new head ________________?
  4. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  5. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  14. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. There's no middle ________________.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. I'll take my ________________ from you.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — a division
  2. ground — the earth
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. branch — of a bank
  5. branch — of a tree
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. coach — pulled by horses
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. current — happening now
  12. cue — a signal
  13. cue — for pool
  14. toast — the most admired
  15. current — electric
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. ground — a position
  18. current — of water
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. rush — hurry
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. ground — crushed
  23. toast — bread
  24. cue — a hint

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