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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: mouse · root · safe · bank · stand · squash · mark · spring

  1. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  4. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  5. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  6. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  10. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  11. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  12. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  13. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  14. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  20. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  21. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  24. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. bank — for money
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. squash — to crush
  5. stand — for spectators
  6. bank — of a river
  7. mark — a trace
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. spring — a coil
  10. mouse — for a computer
  11. root — of a plant
  12. squash — the sport
  13. root — the cause
  14. spring — the season
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. spring — of water
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. mark — a grade
  19. root — of a word
  20. squash — the vegetable
  21. bank — for money
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. stand — to bear
  24. stand — on your feet

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