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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. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  10. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  11. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  12. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  16. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  19. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  20. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. root — the cause
  4. bulb — for light
  5. snap — to speak sharply
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. bore — to tire
  10. root — of a word
  11. press — newspapers
  12. branch — a division
  13. press — to push
  14. bulb — for light
  15. press — a publisher
  16. branch — of a tree
  17. can — to be able to
  18. bore — to drill
  19. snap — to click
  20. bore — gave birth
  21. can — a tin
  22. root — of a plant
  23. can — a tin
  24. snap — to snap out of it

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