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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.

Make a worksheet

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: tube · root · season · stand · lash · cue · leaves · rock

  1. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  10. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. I'll be taking the ________________.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. I can't ________________ this cold.
  17. Did you ________________ the meat?
  18. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  19. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  20. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  21. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — to lash out
  2. root — of a plant
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. cue — a hint
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. root — the cause
  9. cue — for pool
  10. tube — in a tire
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. tube — the underground
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. rock — a stone
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. stand — to bear
  17. season — to add flavour
  18. tube — a container
  19. leaves — of a tree
  20. root — of a word
  21. season — of the year
  22. cue — a signal
  23. rock — music
  24. season — in sport

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