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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 116 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: fine · fork · safe · mug · saw · pit · branch · firm

  1. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  7. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  10. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  11. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  12. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  13. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  14. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  15. She's very handy with a ________________.
  16. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  23. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. fork — in a road
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. fine — all right
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. firm — decided
  7. pit — a hole
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. fork — to eat with
  10. pit — a fruit stone
  11. firm — a company
  12. branch — of a bank
  13. branch — of a tree
  14. pit — in a race
  15. saw — the tool
  16. fork — a garden tool
  17. mug — a cup
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. branch — a division
  20. mug — a face
  21. fine — high quality
  22. firm — steady
  23. fine — a penalty
  24. mug — to rob

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