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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. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  6. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  7. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. Did you ________________ the meat?
  12. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  15. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  20. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  21. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  24. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. face — to confront
  4. root — of a word
  5. face — to point toward
  6. staff — a stick
  7. staff — employees
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. suit — in cards
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. season — to add flavour
  12. foot — the bottom
  13. suit — clothes
  14. root — the cause
  15. season — in sport
  16. suit — to fit
  17. press — newspapers
  18. stand — to bear
  19. face — part of the head
  20. staff — employees
  21. season — of the year
  22. press — to push
  23. foot — a measure
  24. press — a publisher

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