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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. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  2. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  3. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  4. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  5. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  6. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  7. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  10. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  13. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  14. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  15. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  16. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. That was ________________ to happen.
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. My mare is ________________ in color.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — tied together
  2. stem — to come from
  3. stem — of a plant
  4. root — of a plant
  5. hide — to keep secret
  6. stand — on your feet
  7. deal — an agreement
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. bay — to keep at bay
  10. root — of a word
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. root — the cause
  13. stem — a stem cell
  14. stand — for spectators
  15. bound — obliged
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. stand — to bear
  19. hide — animal skin
  20. rock — music
  21. bound — certain
  22. rock — a stone
  23. deal — to handle
  24. bay — a horse colour

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