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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: lean · scale · bank · cap · bulb · key · current · root

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  6. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  7. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  8. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  9. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  10. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  13. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  14. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  19. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. root — of a plant
  3. current — of water
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. lean — to rest against
  6. key — for a lock
  7. cap — a hat
  8. scale — for weighing
  9. bank — for money
  10. cap — of ice
  11. key — in music
  12. scale — size or range
  13. bank — of a river
  14. lean — thin
  15. current — electric
  16. lean — to bend
  17. key — the most important part
  18. root — the cause
  19. cap — a lid
  20. current — happening now
  21. bulb — for light
  22. bank — for money
  23. root — of a word
  24. bulb — for light

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