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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: mark · branch · lie · nail · root · snap · key · rock

  1. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  3. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  4. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  5. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  17. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  20. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  21. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. branch — of a tree
  3. branch — a division
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. branch — of a bank
  6. key — the most important part
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. key — for a lock
  10. snap — to click
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. mark — a grade
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. key — in music
  16. root — of a plant
  17. mark — a trace
  18. lie — to recline
  19. root — of a word
  20. snap — to snap out of it
  21. snap — to speak sharply
  22. rock — music
  23. rock — a stone
  24. nail — on a finger

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