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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: calf · board · stem · chip · wake · degree · mug · root

  1. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  4. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  12. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  13. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  19. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  20. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  21. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  22. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  23. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  24. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.

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

Answer key

  1. wake — a trail
  2. root — of a plant
  3. degree — temperature
  4. stem — of a plant
  5. board — to get on
  6. root — the cause
  7. mug — a face
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. stem — a stem cell
  10. board — a committee
  11. chip — in a computer
  12. wake — before a funeral
  13. chip — for betting
  14. mug — a cup
  15. mug — to rob
  16. wake — to stop sleeping
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. chip — to eat
  19. degree — an amount
  20. stem — to come from
  21. degree — from a university
  22. board — a flat piece
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. root — of a word

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