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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: cabinet · branch · key · row · pass · stand · roll · toast

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  3. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  4. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. We're on a ________________ here.
  7. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  8. What do you think of the new ________________?
  9. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  13. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  14. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  20. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  21. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  22. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  23. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  24. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. key — for a lock
  3. branch — a division
  4. toast — bread
  5. pass — a permit
  6. roll — on a roll
  7. branch — of a bank
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. roll — a list
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. key — the most important part
  12. row — a quarrel
  13. toast — a drink to someone
  14. row — to paddle
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. key — in music
  18. stand — to bear
  19. cabinet — a cupboard
  20. pass — to spend time
  21. row — a line
  22. roll — a cake
  23. branch — of a tree
  24. toast — the most admired

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