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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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  4. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  10. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  11. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  12. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  13. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  14. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. My father caught me by the ________________.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  19. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  22. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  23. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  24. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. trunk — of a car
  4. bowl — to roll
  5. mug — a cup
  6. mark — a grade
  7. vault — an arched ceiling
  8. root — the cause
  9. bowl — a dish
  10. bowl — a football final
  11. wax — to grow
  12. arm — part of the body
  13. vault — in gymnastics
  14. wax — for sculpting
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. mug — a face
  18. arm — a part of something
  19. mark — a trace
  20. mug — to rob
  21. vault — a safe
  22. trunk — of an elephant
  23. root — of a word
  24. wax — in the ear

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