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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: bulb · ruler · wave · current · foot · branch · cap · press

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  8. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  9. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  10. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  18. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  19. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  20. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  21. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  22. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. bulb — for light
  4. current — of water
  5. foot — a measure
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. wave — of the sea
  8. wave — with your hand
  9. cap — a lid
  10. cap — of ice
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. current — electric
  13. press — to push
  14. branch — a division
  15. bulb — for light
  16. current — happening now
  17. cap — a hat
  18. wave — a sudden rise
  19. press — a publisher
  20. branch — of a tree
  21. foot — part of the body
  22. branch — of a bank
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. ruler — for measuring

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