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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: bore · stem · ground · bulb · plane · can · content · bank

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  6. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. There's no middle ________________.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  12. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  13. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  14. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  15. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  16. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  17. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  18. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  22. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  23. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  24. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. can — to be able to
  3. bulb — for light
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. stem — a stem cell
  6. bank — for money
  7. plane — a tool
  8. ground — a position
  9. bulb — for light
  10. can — a tin
  11. content — videos and posts
  12. bore — to drill
  13. stem — of a plant
  14. bore — to tire
  15. bank — for money
  16. ground — crushed
  17. content — the amount
  18. stem — to come from
  19. can — a tin
  20. bank — of a river
  21. bore — gave birth
  22. bulb — of a plant
  23. ground — the earth
  24. content — happy

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