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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: leaves · root · object · pass · rash · bound · march · bore

  1. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  7. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  8. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  9. That was ________________ to happen.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  12. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  15. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  16. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  17. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  18. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  23. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  24. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?

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

Answer key

  1. bound — tied together
  2. object — a thing
  3. root — of a word
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. pass — a permit
  6. root — the cause
  7. leaves — to go away
  8. bore — gave birth
  9. bound — certain
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. rash — a series
  12. bore — to drill
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. object — an aim
  15. bound — obliged
  16. object — to protest
  17. rash — on the skin
  18. march — the month
  19. rash — hasty
  20. march — music
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. march — the month
  23. root — of a plant
  24. bore — to tire

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