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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.

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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: stem · field · root · foot · mark · key · roll · ruler

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  5. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  6. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  7. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  11. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  12. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  13. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  14. We're on a ________________ here.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  21. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  22. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. She got the top ________________ in the exam.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. mark — a trace
  3. key — the most important part
  4. field — a subject
  5. stem — of a plant
  6. roll — a list
  7. root — of a word
  8. root — the cause
  9. key — in music
  10. stem — a stem cell
  11. stem — to come from
  12. roll — a cake
  13. foot — part of the body
  14. roll — on a roll
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. foot — a measure
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. field — for sport
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. foot — the bottom
  21. root — of a plant
  22. field — farmland
  23. key — for a lock
  24. mark — a grade

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