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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: rock · toast · charge · staff · nail · leaves · stem · tube

  1. The ________________ went through the wall.
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  11. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  14. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  15. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  16. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. I'll be taking the ________________.
  19. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. stem — to come from
  4. rock — a stone
  5. tube — in a tire
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. charge — in control
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. charge — electricity
  11. nail — on a finger
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. toast — a drink to someone
  14. stem — a stem cell
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. tube — a container
  17. staff — employees
  18. tube — the underground
  19. staff — employees
  20. charge — a price
  21. staff — a stick
  22. toast — bread
  23. stem — of a plant
  24. rock — music

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