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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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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: track · arm · ruler · root · calf · file · stand · bark

  1. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  7. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  8. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  12. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  13. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  17. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  18. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  19. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  20. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  23. My father caught me by the ________________.
  24. He keeps ________________ of his days.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a line of people
  2. root — the cause
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. stand — on your feet
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. track — a path
  7. bark — to shout
  8. bark — a dog's sound
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. root — of a plant
  12. bark — of a tree
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. stand — to bear
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. root — of a word
  17. file — a document
  18. track — a song
  19. arm — a part of something
  20. file — a tool
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. stand — for spectators
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. track — to keep track

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