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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: can · bulb · pass · bank · prune · cabinet · mine · mug

  1. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  6. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  7. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  18. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  19. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. prune — the fruit
  4. can — a tin
  5. mine — an explosive
  6. mine — for digging
  7. bank — for money
  8. bank — of a river
  9. bulb — for light
  10. pass — a permit
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. bulb — for light
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. mine — belonging to me
  15. mug — a face
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. bank — for money
  19. prune — to trim
  20. mug — to rob
  21. mug — a cup
  22. prune — to trim
  23. can — a tin
  24. pass — to succeed

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