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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: branch · kick · rush · staff · hide · pass · suit · leaves

  1. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  6. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  7. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  8. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  12. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. That must've been a ________________.
  15. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  22. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  23. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. pass — a permit
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. hide — to keep secret
  6. rush — to hurry
  7. kick — a thrill
  8. staff — a stick
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. staff — employees
  12. branch — of a tree
  13. suit — clothes
  14. rush — a thrill
  15. branch — a division
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. rush — hurry
  19. kick — in football
  20. suit — to fit
  21. kick — with a leg
  22. staff — employees
  23. hide — animal skin
  24. suit — in cards

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