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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: mate · temple · dip · cue · coach · key · cap · branch

  1. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  3. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  4. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  5. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  6. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  7. Have you found your soul ________________?
  8. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  9. When was this ________________ built?
  10. Have you met the new head ________________?
  11. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  12. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  13. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  16. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  21. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  22. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  23. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  24. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. branch — a division
  3. cap — a lid
  4. dip — a sauce
  5. mate — to breed
  6. key — for a lock
  7. mate — a partner
  8. key — the most important part
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. mate — a friend
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. cue — for pool
  14. cue — a signal
  15. coach — pulled by horses
  16. branch — of a bank
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. key — in music
  19. cue — a hint
  20. dip — to dunk
  21. cap — a hat
  22. cap — of ice
  23. branch — of a tree
  24. coach — a trainer

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