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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 116 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: current · branch · key · scale · stick · calf · object · mark

  1. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  3. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  6. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  15. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  16. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  19. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  22. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  23. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. mark — to pay attention
  3. branch — a division
  4. key — in music
  5. scale — for weighing
  6. scale — size or range
  7. current — of water
  8. key — for a lock
  9. current — electric
  10. scale — in music
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. branch — of a tree
  13. current — happening now
  14. object — an aim
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. mark — a grade
  18. object — a thing
  19. object — to protest
  20. mark — a trace
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. branch — of a bank
  24. key — the most important part

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