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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: fork · leaves · can · bank · lie · swing · branch · ball

  1. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  2. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  3. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  8. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  9. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. David sat on the ________________.
  16. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. The King held a masked ________________.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  23. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  24. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.

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

Answer key

  1. fork — in a road
  2. swing — in golf
  3. bank — for money
  4. can — a tin
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. can — a tin
  7. swing — music
  8. ball — a great time
  9. fork — a garden tool
  10. can — to be able to
  11. branch — of a tree
  12. lie — to recline
  13. ball — a round shape
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. swing — to play on
  16. fork — to eat with
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. branch — a division
  19. bank — for money
  20. ball — a dance
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. bank — of a river
  23. leaves — of a tree
  24. branch — of a bank

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