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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 120 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: branch · charge · ball · can · bulb · face · plane · bear

  1. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  2. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  5. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  6. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  14. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. bear — the animal
  3. plane — a tool
  4. ball — a great time
  5. face — to confront
  6. branch — a division
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. can — a tin
  9. branch — of a tree
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. face — to point toward
  12. can — a tin
  13. ball — a round shape
  14. bear — to put up with
  15. charge — electricity
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. can — to be able to
  18. bulb — for light
  19. face — part of the head
  20. bulb — for light
  21. ball — a dance
  22. bear — the animal
  23. charge — a price
  24. charge — in control

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