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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.

Make a worksheet

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: mark · leaves · face · can · bulb · root · pass · kick

  1. I've got to change the light ________________.
  2. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  3. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  4. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  11. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  12. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  13. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  22. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. mark — to pay attention
  3. face — part of the head
  4. mark — a grade
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. can — to be able to
  7. root — of a word
  8. bulb — for light
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. face — to point toward
  11. root — of a plant
  12. kick — with a leg
  13. face — to confront
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. pass — a permit
  17. mark — a trace
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. can — a tin
  21. kick — in football
  22. root — the cause
  23. can — a tin
  24. kick — a thrill

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