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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.

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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: foot · stem · bank · branch · ruler · rush · rest · nail

  1. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  4. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  5. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  6. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  11. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  12. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  13. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  14. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  17. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  18. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  19. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  20. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  21. The ________________ went through the wall.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. Many English words ________________ from Latin.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. foot — a measure
  4. stem — of a plant
  5. rest — what's left
  6. bank — of a river
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. stem — a stem cell
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. bank — for money
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. bank — for money
  13. rest — a break
  14. rush — hurry
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. nail — on a finger
  17. branch — of a bank
  18. branch — a division
  19. rest — what's left
  20. foot — part of the body
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. stem — to come from

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