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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
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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: key · tube · suit · roll · lie · rush · branch · calf

  1. That must've been a ________________.
  2. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  4. We're on a ________________ here.
  5. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  6. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  7. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  13. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. I'll be taking the ________________.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  21. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  22. This piece is in a major ________________.
  23. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. rush — a thrill
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. branch — of a bank
  4. roll — on a roll
  5. tube — in a tire
  6. rush — to hurry
  7. rush — hurry
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. key — the most important part
  12. roll — a list
  13. branch — a division
  14. suit — to fit
  15. suit — clothes
  16. tube — the underground
  17. lie — to recline
  18. roll — a cake
  19. suit — in cards
  20. tube — a container
  21. branch — of a tree
  22. key — in music
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. key — for a lock

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