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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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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: pass · plane · safe · rest · root · shower · stem · board

  1. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  2. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  3. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  7. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  8. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  11. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  12. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  17. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  18. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  22. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  23. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. rest — a break
  2. shower — a meteor shower
  3. stem — a stem cell
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. pass — a permit
  6. rest — what's left
  7. board — a flat piece
  8. root — of a word
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. board — to get on
  11. plane — a tool
  12. shower — rain
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. stem — of a plant
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. shower — to wash
  17. rest — what's left
  18. board — a committee
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. root — the cause
  22. stem — to come from
  23. root — of a plant
  24. safe — out of danger

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