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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.

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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: arm · mate · board · kick · root · tube · pass · safe

  1. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  4. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  5. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  6. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  7. My father caught me by the ________________.
  8. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  9. I'll be taking the ________________.
  10. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  16. Have you found your soul ________________?
  17. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  18. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  21. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  22. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  23. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  24. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. root — the cause
  4. tube — in a tire
  5. board — a flat piece
  6. arm — part of the body
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. kick — a thrill
  9. tube — the underground
  10. mate — a friend
  11. pass — a permit
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. board — to get on
  16. mate — a partner
  17. mate — to breed
  18. arm — a part of something
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. kick — in football
  21. tube — a container
  22. kick — with a leg
  23. board — a committee
  24. root — of a word

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