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

Word bank: pop · root · cue · pitcher · cabinet · firm · suit · stand

  1. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  7. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  8. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  9. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  10. He is an ace ________________.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  13. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  16. You don't need to ________________ round.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. We're almost out of ________________.
  21. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  24. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a word
  2. suit — to fit
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. cue — for pool
  5. suit — in cards
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. firm — steady
  8. cue — a hint
  9. root — of a plant
  10. pitcher — in baseball
  11. stand — to bear
  12. root — the cause
  13. cabinet — a cupboard
  14. cue — a signal
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. pop — to visit
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. firm — a company
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. pop — soda
  21. stand — for spectators
  22. suit — clothes
  23. firm — decided
  24. pop — music

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