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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.

Make a worksheet

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: leaves · saw · rush · suit · root · wind · safe · prune

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  3. She's very handy with a ________________.
  4. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  10. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  20. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. wind — to turn a key
  3. saw — the tool
  4. root — the cause
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. prune — the fruit
  7. suit — clothes
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. wind — moving air
  10. prune — to trim
  11. saw — the tool
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. saw — past of 'see'
  15. rush — hurry
  16. root — of a word
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. suit — in cards
  19. prune — to trim
  20. wind — moving air
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. root — of a plant
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. suit — to fit

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