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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: lie · bore · toast · press · patient · bulb · root · temple

  1. When was this ________________ built?
  2. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. The light ________________ burned out.
  7. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  8. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  9. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  10. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  11. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  14. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  15. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  16. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  17. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  18. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  24. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — a place of worship
  2. bulb — of a plant
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. bulb — for light
  5. press — newspapers
  6. bulb — for light
  7. press — a publisher
  8. toast — bread
  9. patient — calm and waiting
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. root — the cause
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. lie — to recline
  14. toast — the most admired
  15. root — of a word
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. bore — to drill
  18. bore — gave birth
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. bore — to tire
  21. press — to push
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. patient — a sick person
  24. root — of a plant

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