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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.

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: branch · foot · band · safe · bank · board · root · can

  1. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  9. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  10. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  11. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  15. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  16. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  21. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  22. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  23. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  24. Biology is a ________________ of science.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. can — a tin
  4. root — of a word
  5. board — to get on
  6. root — of a plant
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. foot — a measure
  9. band — a rubber band
  10. board — a flat piece
  11. foot — the bottom
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. board — a committee
  14. bank — of a river
  15. band — a ring
  16. branch — of a tree
  17. can — a tin
  18. bank — for money
  19. can — to be able to
  20. bank — for money
  21. foot — part of the body
  22. band — a music group
  23. branch — of a bank
  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