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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: chair · jam · safe · suit · root · lean · board · foot

  1. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  7. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  16. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  19. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  20. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  21. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  22. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — a measure
  2. root — of a plant
  3. foot — the bottom
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. suit — to fit
  6. board — a flat piece
  7. lean — to bend
  8. suit — clothes
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. root — of a word
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. board — a committee
  15. foot — part of the body
  16. root — the cause
  17. suit — in cards
  18. chair — to sit on
  19. jam — a tight spot
  20. lean — thin
  21. chair — a professorship
  22. lean — to rest against
  23. board — to get on
  24. chair — a leader

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