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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 120 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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  4. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  7. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  8. She's very handy with a ________________.
  9. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  10. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. He works in a ________________ mill.
  13. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  14. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  17. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  18. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  21. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  24. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. root — of a plant
  4. branch — of a bank
  5. mug — a cup
  6. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  7. board — a flat piece
  8. saw — the tool
  9. board — a committee
  10. kid — child
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. saw — the tool
  13. root — the cause
  14. mug — a face
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. root — of a word
  17. bank — for money
  18. branch — of a tree
  19. mug — to rob
  20. board — to get on
  21. branch — a division
  22. bank — for money
  23. bank — of a river
  24. kid — to tease

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