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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: branch · mouse · root · fine · net · drill · can · bulb

  1. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  7. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  8. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  9. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  10. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  19. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  20. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  21. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  22. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. branch — of a tree
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. can — to be able to
  5. root — the cause
  6. root — of a word
  7. net — for catching
  8. net — in sport
  9. fine — a penalty
  10. branch — a division
  11. bulb — for light
  12. mouse — for a computer
  13. bulb — for light
  14. root — of a plant
  15. can — a tin
  16. drill — the tool
  17. can — a tin
  18. branch — of a bank
  19. drill — a practice
  20. fine — all right
  21. net — after costs
  22. drill — army training
  23. fine — high quality
  24. mouse — the animal

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