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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 120 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: calf · prune · rash · arm · root · rock · wax · chair

  1. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  4. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  5. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  8. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  9. My father caught me by the ________________.
  10. Don't do anything ________________.
  11. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  12. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  13. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  14. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  20. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  21. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  22. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  23. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  24. The moon will ________________ and wane.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. rash — a series
  3. root — of a word
  4. wax — for sculpting
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. chair — to sit on
  8. calf — of the leg
  9. arm — part of the body
  10. rash — hasty
  11. prune — to trim
  12. prune — to trim
  13. arm — a part of something
  14. wax — in the ear
  15. rock — a stone
  16. prune — the fruit
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. rock — music
  19. chair — a leader
  20. rash — on the skin
  21. arm — part of the body
  22. chair — a professorship
  23. root — of a plant
  24. wax — to grow

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