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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
468
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: leaves · safe · cabinet · bowl · shower · branch · arm · lash

  1. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  5. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  6. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  7. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  8. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  11. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  20. My father caught me by the ________________.
  21. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  22. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. bowl — a dish
  5. leaves — lets stay
  6. bowl — a football final
  7. shower — rain
  8. arm — a part of something
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. shower — a meteor shower
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. branch — of a tree
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. lash — an eyelash
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. branch — a division
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. cabinet — a cupboard
  20. arm — part of the body
  21. shower — to wash
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. bowl — to roll

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