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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
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: cell · tube · lash · prune · plane · bulb · branch · board

  1. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  2. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  5. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. I'll be taking the ________________.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  10. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  11. The ________________ took off on time.
  12. He was locked up in a ________________.
  13. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  18. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  19. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  23. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  24. A ________________ is just a dried plum.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a committee
  2. bulb — of a plant
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. prune — to trim
  5. branch — of a bank
  6. plane — a tool
  7. tube — the underground
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. cell — in biology
  10. board — a flat piece
  11. plane — an aircraft
  12. cell — in a prison
  13. prune — to trim
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. bulb — for light
  16. bulb — for light
  17. branch — a division
  18. cell — a phone
  19. tube — a container
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. board — to get on
  22. branch — of a tree
  23. tube — in a tire
  24. prune — the fruit

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