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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: rush · bore · arm · coach · bank · cabinet · stem · bulb

  1. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. Have you met the new head ________________?
  7. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  8. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  9. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  10. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  11. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. That must've been a ________________.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  17. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  18. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  19. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  20. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. My father caught me by the ________________.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — of a plant
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. bulb — for light
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. bore — gave birth
  8. arm — part of the body
  9. coach — pulled by horses
  10. bank — for money
  11. bore — to drill
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. bore — to tire
  14. rush — a thrill
  15. bulb — for light
  16. arm — a part of something
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. bank — for money
  19. stem — a stem cell
  20. stem — to come from
  21. bank — of a river
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. rush — hurry

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