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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: saw · scale · current · branch · board · fan · tube · bay

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. He works in a ________________ mill.
  3. I'll be taking the ________________.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  6. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  7. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  8. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. She's very handy with a ________________.
  11. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  18. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  19. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  20. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  21. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  22. My mare is ________________ in color.
  23. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  24. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. saw — the tool
  3. tube — the underground
  4. current — electric
  5. scale — for weighing
  6. branch — a division
  7. branch — of a tree
  8. saw — past of 'see'
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. saw — the tool
  11. scale — size or range
  12. current — of water
  13. board — to get on
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. tube — in a tire
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. bay — to keep at bay
  18. tube — a container
  19. board — a committee
  20. branch — of a bank
  21. bay — a part of the sea
  22. bay — a horse colour
  23. current — happening now
  24. fan — a supporter

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