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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. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  13. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  14. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  18. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  19. That must've been a ________________.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. Many English words ________________ from Latin.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. root — the cause
  3. suit — clothes
  4. stem — a stem cell
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. bulb — for light
  7. bulb — for light
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. stem — of a plant
  10. suit — in cards
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. root — of a plant
  13. chair — a leader
  14. root — of a word
  15. rush — hurry
  16. rock — music
  17. chair — to sit on
  18. chair — a professorship
  19. rush — a thrill
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. rock — a stone
  24. stem — to come from

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