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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: date · prune · calf · rush · vault · current · foot · root

  1. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  3. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  4. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  5. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  6. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  7. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  11. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  12. Have you settled on a ________________?
  13. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  14. That must've been a ________________.
  15. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  16. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  20. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  21. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  22. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  23. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  24. A ________________ is just a dried plum.

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. vault — a safe
  3. date — on the calendar
  4. root — of a plant
  5. current — electric
  6. prune — to trim
  7. rush — hurry
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. current — of water
  10. foot — part of the body
  11. root — the cause
  12. date — on the calendar
  13. prune — to trim
  14. rush — a thrill
  15. vault — in gymnastics
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. root — of a word
  19. date — the fruit
  20. foot — a measure
  21. rush — to hurry
  22. foot — the bottom
  23. vault — an arched ceiling
  24. prune — the fruit

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