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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.

Make a worksheet

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: mug · branch · safe · lash · prune · fine · pit · calf

  1. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  2. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  14. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  20. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  24. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. branch — a division
  2. prune — to trim
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. pit — a hole
  5. mug — to rob
  6. prune — to trim
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. branch — of a bank
  10. fine — all right
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. mug — a cup
  13. lash — an eyelash
  14. branch — of a tree
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. fine — high quality
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. lash — to lash out
  20. pit — in a race
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. mug — a face
  23. prune — the fruit
  24. pit — a fruit stone

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