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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 116 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: bank · root · bowl · cue · rash · staff · object · bound

  1. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  3. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  4. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  5. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  6. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  7. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  8. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  9. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  13. Don't do anything ________________.
  14. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  15. That was ________________ to happen.
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  21. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  24. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. bowl — a football final
  3. root — the cause
  4. staff — employees
  5. object — to protest
  6. bank — for money
  7. staff — a stick
  8. bowl — to roll
  9. bound — tied together
  10. bound — obliged
  11. cue — a signal
  12. rash — a series
  13. rash — hasty
  14. root — of a word
  15. bound — certain
  16. cue — for pool
  17. bank — of a river
  18. cue — a hint
  19. bank — for money
  20. object — an aim
  21. object — a thing
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. rash — on the skin
  24. staff — employees

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