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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 120 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: fine · hide · bark · rash · cue · stem · root · temple

  1. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  6. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. Don't do anything ________________.
  9. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  14. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  15. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  16. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  17. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  18. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  21. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  22. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. root — the cause
  3. stem — to come from
  4. cue — a hint
  5. bark — to shout
  6. temple — side of the head
  7. fine — all right
  8. rash — hasty
  9. root — of a plant
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. cue — for pool
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. hide — animal skin
  14. root — of a word
  15. rash — on the skin
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. bark — of a tree
  18. fine — high quality
  19. cue — a signal
  20. stem — of a plant
  21. stem — a stem cell
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. bark — a dog's sound

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