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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.

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: kick · track · stem · stock · leaves · root · perch · plane

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  5. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. The ________________ market has crashed.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  10. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  11. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  12. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  13. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  14. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  15. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  16. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  17. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  18. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  19. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  20. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  21. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  22. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  23. The ________________ took off on time.
  24. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. root — of a plant
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. stock — shares
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. track — to keep track
  10. stem — of a plant
  11. plane — a tool
  12. stock — a soup base
  13. kick — with a leg
  14. kick — in football
  15. stem — a stem cell
  16. kick — a thrill
  17. track — a path
  18. perch — the fish
  19. root — the cause
  20. track — a song
  21. root — of a word
  22. stem — to come from
  23. plane — an aircraft
  24. stock — goods

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