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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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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: stand · rush · cue · rest · can · root · wax · pit

  1. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  4. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  5. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  6. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  7. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  8. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. I can't ________________ this cold.
  11. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  12. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  13. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  18. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  19. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  24. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. root — of a plant
  3. root — the cause
  4. stand — for spectators
  5. rest — what's left
  6. rush — to hurry
  7. pit — in a race
  8. rest — what's left
  9. cue — a hint
  10. stand — to bear
  11. rest — a break
  12. wax — for sculpting
  13. root — of a word
  14. can — a tin
  15. cue — for pool
  16. can — a tin
  17. stand — on your feet
  18. wax — in the ear
  19. pit — a hole
  20. rush — hurry
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. cue — a signal
  23. wax — to grow
  24. pit — a fruit stone

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