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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 116 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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  3. That must've been a ________________.
  4. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  10. False peace will not ________________.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  17. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  18. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  21. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. rush — to hurry
  3. rush — a thrill
  4. stem — a stem cell
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. stem — of a plant
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. root — of a plant
  10. last — to go on
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. last — final
  13. fine — all right
  14. last — finally
  15. rush — hurry
  16. fine — high quality
  17. stem — to come from
  18. root — the cause
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. root — of a word
  21. fine — a penalty
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. ruler — for measuring

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