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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.

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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. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  2. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  3. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  4. What do you think of the new ________________?
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. The light ________________ burned out.
  7. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  11. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  14. I've got to change the light ________________.
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  18. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  19. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  20. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  21. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  22. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. Biology is a ________________ of science.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — of a plant
  2. branch — of a bank
  3. lean — to bend
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. mark — a grade
  6. bulb — for light
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. mug — a face
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. branch — of a tree
  11. mark — a trace
  12. mug — a cup
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. bulb — for light
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. lean — to rest against
  18. firm — decided
  19. cabinet — a cupboard
  20. firm — steady
  21. lean — thin
  22. firm — a company
  23. mug — to rob
  24. branch — a division

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