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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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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: dip · firm · fine · roll · rush · game · stem · root

  1. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  4. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  5. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  6. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  9. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  12. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  15. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  16. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  17. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  18. We're on a ________________ here.
  19. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  20. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. That was a fun ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — a stem cell
  2. root — of a plant
  3. dip — to sink
  4. dip — a sauce
  5. stem — of a plant
  6. firm — steady
  7. fine — all right
  8. firm — decided
  9. game — a kind of play
  10. fine — high quality
  11. roll — a list
  12. firm — a company
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. root — the cause
  15. dip — to dunk
  16. roll — a cake
  17. stem — to come from
  18. roll — on a roll
  19. root — of a word
  20. fine — a penalty
  21. rush — hurry
  22. game — wild animals
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. game — a match

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