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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
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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: root · chip · bulb · rest · jam · pass · branch · can

  1. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  4. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  9. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  17. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  20. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  21. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  22. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  23. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  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. root — the cause
  2. can — a tin
  3. branch — of a bank
  4. rest — what's left
  5. root — of a plant
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. pass — a permit
  8. chip — to eat
  9. rest — a break
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. jam — in traffic
  12. can — to be able to
  13. branch — of a tree
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. bulb — for light
  16. rest — what's left
  17. chip — in a computer
  18. can — a tin
  19. jam — to spread on bread
  20. pass — to spend time
  21. chip — for betting
  22. root — of a word
  23. branch — a division
  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