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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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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: plane · scale · board · bank · bulb · season · root · charge

  1. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  2. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  3. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  15. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  16. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  17. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  18. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  19. The ________________ took off on time.
  20. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  21. Did you ________________ the meat?
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  24. Spring is a pleasant ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a word
  2. bulb — of a plant
  3. root — the cause
  4. charge — electricity
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. bank — for money
  7. charge — in control
  8. bulb — for light
  9. bank — of a river
  10. bulb — for light
  11. bank — for money
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. board — a committee
  14. scale — for weighing
  15. season — in sport
  16. root — of a plant
  17. plane — a tool
  18. scale — in music
  19. plane — an aircraft
  20. board — to get on
  21. season — to add flavour
  22. charge — a price
  23. scale — size or range
  24. season — of the year

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