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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: root · rash · wound · snap · branch · safe · stock · ruler

  1. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. Don't do anything ________________.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  8. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  9. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  17. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  20. The ________________ market has crashed.
  21. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  22. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  23. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  24. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. root — the cause
  3. rash — a series
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. rash — hasty
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. root — of a plant
  8. stock — a soup base
  9. snap — to snap out of it
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. stock — goods
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. rash — on the skin
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. wound — an injury
  17. wound — past of 'wind'
  18. root — of a word
  19. snap — to speak sharply
  20. stock — shares
  21. branch — a division
  22. snap — to click
  23. branch — of a bank
  24. wound — an injury

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