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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.

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: rush · root · toast · dip · court · safe · bowl · leaves

  1. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  3. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  4. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  5. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  10. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  11. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  12. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  13. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  14. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. The ball is in your ________________.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. rush — to hurry
  3. bowl — to roll
  4. root — the cause
  5. toast — a drink to someone
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. dip — a sauce
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. bowl — a football final
  10. court — of a king
  11. court — of law
  12. dip — to dunk
  13. bowl — a dish
  14. rush — hurry
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. toast — bread
  18. root — of a word
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. toast — the most admired
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. court — for sport
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. dip — to sink

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