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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 120 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: tube · can · mug · root · drill · bank · spring · lash

  1. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  7. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  11. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  15. I'll be taking the ________________.
  16. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  19. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  20. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  21. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  22. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. drill — army training
  2. bank — for money
  3. root — the cause
  4. can — a tin
  5. root — of a plant
  6. spring — of water
  7. lash — an eyelash
  8. mug — a face
  9. can — a tin
  10. bank — of a river
  11. drill — a practice
  12. mug — to rob
  13. can — to be able to
  14. tube — in a tire
  15. tube — the underground
  16. root — of a word
  17. mug — a cup
  18. bank — for money
  19. spring — a coil
  20. drill — the tool
  21. tube — a container
  22. spring — the season
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. lash — a whip stroke

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