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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: can · toast · stem · bank · foot · jam · nail · press

  1. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  4. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  5. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  6. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  7. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  8. Did you ________________ the button?
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  11. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  12. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  13. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  22. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  23. The ________________ went through the wall.
  24. I have a corn on my right ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. jam — to spread on bread
  4. toast — the most admired
  5. bank — of a river
  6. stem — to come from
  7. press — a publisher
  8. press — to push
  9. can — a tin
  10. foot — a measure
  11. stem — of a plant
  12. press — newspapers
  13. toast — a drink to someone
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. jam — in traffic
  16. toast — bread
  17. stem — a stem cell
  18. can — to be able to
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. can — a tin
  21. nail — on a finger
  22. bank — for money
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. foot — part of the body

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