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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.

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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: spell · branch · lash · root · ruler · stem · leaves · spring

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  6. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  7. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  14. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  15. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  20. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  21. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  22. How do you ________________ your surname?
  23. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  24. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. spell — a short time
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. branch — a division
  6. spell — magic
  7. root — of a word
  8. root — the cause
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. stem — to come from
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. lash — an eyelash
  14. root — of a plant
  15. branch — of a tree
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. branch — of a bank
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. spring — the season
  20. spring — a coil
  21. stem — of a plant
  22. spell — letters
  23. stem — a stem cell
  24. spring — of water

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