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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: file · root · arm · mark · bound · season · safe · bay

  1. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  5. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  6. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  7. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  8. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  9. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  10. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  11. My mare is ________________ in color.
  12. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  13. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  14. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  15. My father caught me by the ________________.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. That was ________________ to happen.
  21. Did you ________________ the meat?
  22. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  23. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  24. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. file — a tool
  5. season — of the year
  6. arm — part of the body
  7. season — in sport
  8. root — of a word
  9. bound — tied together
  10. mark — a trace
  11. bay — a horse colour
  12. file — a line of people
  13. bound — obliged
  14. bay — to keep at bay
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. mark — a grade
  18. file — a document
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. bound — certain
  21. season — to add flavour
  22. arm — a part of something
  23. root — the cause
  24. bay — a part of the sea

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