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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
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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: craft · root · mate · safe · lean · arm · season · lie

  1. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  3. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  4. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  5. My father caught me by the ________________.
  6. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  7. Have you found your soul ________________?
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  12. Did you ________________ the meat?
  13. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  14. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  15. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  16. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  22. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  23. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  24. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. root — of a word
  3. season — in sport
  4. lean — to rest against
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. arm — a part of something
  7. mate — a partner
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. lie — to recline
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. lean — thin
  12. season — to add flavour
  13. craft — a handicraft
  14. arm — part of the body
  15. craft — a skill
  16. mate — a friend
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. season — of the year
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. lean — to bend
  22. root — the cause
  23. craft — boats
  24. mate — to breed

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