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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: sharp · stem · rest · rush · root · calf · mate · key

  1. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  3. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  7. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  8. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. Have you found your soul ________________?
  11. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  12. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  13. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  14. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  15. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  16. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  17. It's one o'clock ________________.
  18. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  19. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. stem — a stem cell
  3. root — the cause
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. rest — a break
  7. rest — what's left
  8. stem — to come from
  9. key — for a lock
  10. mate — a partner
  11. sharp — with an edge
  12. root — of a plant
  13. mate — to breed
  14. sharp — clever
  15. calf — of the leg
  16. root — of a word
  17. sharp — exactly
  18. stem — of a plant
  19. rest — what's left
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. key — the most important part
  23. rush — hurry
  24. mate — a friend

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