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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.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

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

Word bank: jam · safe · foot · season · perch · tube · root · roll

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  3. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  4. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  7. I'll be taking the ________________.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. Did you ________________ the meat?
  10. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  11. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  12. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. We're on a ________________ here.
  15. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  16. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  17. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  20. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  21. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  22. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  23. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  24. Tom got himself in a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. perch — for a bird
  3. root — of a word
  4. root — the cause
  5. root — of a plant
  6. foot — part of the body
  7. tube — the underground
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. season — to add flavour
  10. season — in sport
  11. roll — a cake
  12. perch — the fish
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. roll — on a roll
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. foot — the bottom
  17. tube — a container
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. tube — in a tire
  20. season — of the year
  21. roll — a list
  22. jam — in traffic
  23. foot — a measure
  24. jam — a tight spot

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