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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: jam · rock · suit · root · bear · toast · branch · bass

  1. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  7. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  17. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  18. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  19. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  20. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — to put up with
  2. root — of a plant
  3. branch — a division
  4. root — of a word
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. bear — the animal
  7. bass — the fish
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. rock — music
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. suit — clothes
  12. suit — to fit
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. bear — the animal
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. bass — the instrument
  17. branch — of a tree
  18. rock — a stone
  19. bass — low music
  20. branch — of a bank
  21. suit — in cards
  22. root — the cause
  23. toast — bread
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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