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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  11. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  12. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  13. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  16. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. fork — in a road
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. root — of a word
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. march — music
  11. fork — to eat with
  12. root — of a plant
  13. root — the cause
  14. rock — a stone
  15. fork — a garden tool
  16. march — the month
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. rock — music
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. march — the month
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. toast — bread

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