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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: root · bore · press · current · foot · saw · mug · trunk

  1. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. She's very handy with a ________________.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  6. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  7. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  12. He works in a ________________ mill.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  15. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  20. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  21. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  24. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.

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

Answer key

  1. press — a publisher
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. saw — the tool
  4. current — electric
  5. bore — to drill
  6. trunk — of a car
  7. root — the cause
  8. mug — a cup
  9. press — newspapers
  10. mug — to rob
  11. bore — to tire
  12. saw — the tool
  13. mug — a face
  14. root — of a plant
  15. saw — past of 'see'
  16. foot — a measure
  17. foot — the bottom
  18. current — of water
  19. foot — part of the body
  20. trunk — of an elephant
  21. bore — gave birth
  22. press — to push
  23. root — of a word
  24. current — happening now

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