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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: fine · prune · root · rush · stand · rock · date · safe

  1. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  2. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. That must've been a ________________.
  5. Have you settled on a ________________?
  6. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  10. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  11. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  12. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  13. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  14. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  15. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  21. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  24. I can't ________________ this cold.

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

Answer key

  1. date — the fruit
  2. fine — all right
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. rush — a thrill
  5. date — on the calendar
  6. prune — to trim
  7. rock — music
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. rock — a stone
  10. prune — the fruit
  11. date — on the calendar
  12. fine — a penalty
  13. prune — to trim
  14. root — the cause
  15. root — of a plant
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. rock — to move gently
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. rush — to hurry
  21. fine — high quality
  22. rush — hurry
  23. root — of a word
  24. stand — to bear

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