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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: hide · safe · coach · bulb · nail · prune · stem · branch

  1. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  2. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  3. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  4. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  5. The light ________________ burned out.
  6. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  9. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  10. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  13. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  16. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  20. The ________________ went through the wall.
  21. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  22. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  23. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  24. Have you met the new head ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. hide — to keep secret
  2. branch — of a bank
  3. hide — to keep secret
  4. stem — a stem cell
  5. bulb — for light
  6. stem — of a plant
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. nail — on a finger
  9. branch — of a tree
  10. prune — the fruit
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. hide — animal skin
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. prune — to trim
  16. stem — to come from
  17. bulb — for light
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. branch — a division
  22. prune — to trim
  23. coach — pulled by horses
  24. coach — a trainer

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