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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.

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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 · mug · branch · stem · chip · bulb · mouse · cabinet

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  6. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. The ________________ took off on time.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  13. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  14. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  18. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  19. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  22. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  23. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. chip — in a computer
  3. bulb — for light
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. stem — a stem cell
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. mug — a face
  9. plane — an aircraft
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. bulb — for light
  12. stem — to come from
  13. plane — a tool
  14. plane — in geometry
  15. mug — to rob
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. chip — to eat
  18. branch — of a bank
  19. branch — of a tree
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. branch — a division
  22. chip — for betting
  23. stem — of a plant
  24. mug — a cup

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