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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: foot · calf · net · jam · chair · lie · bear · root

  1. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  3. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  4. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  5. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  6. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  10. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  13. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  16. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  17. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  18. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  19. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  20. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  21. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  22. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  24. He had ________________ pain while walking.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. bear — the animal
  3. net — in sport
  4. foot — a measure
  5. chair — a professorship
  6. foot — the bottom
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. net — for catching
  10. bear — the animal
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. jam — in traffic
  13. net — after costs
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. root — of a word
  16. lie — to recline
  17. chair — a leader
  18. foot — part of the body
  19. chair — to sit on
  20. root — the cause
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. bear — to put up with
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. calf — of the leg

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