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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. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  5. The ball is in your ________________.
  6. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  7. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  8. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  9. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  10. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  11. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. How do you ________________ your surname?
  15. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  16. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  20. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  21. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  22. Have you found your soul ________________?
  23. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. craft — a handicraft
  2. root — the cause
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. craft — a skill
  5. court — for sport
  6. root — of a plant
  7. toast — a drink to someone
  8. patient — a sick person
  9. court — of a king
  10. mate — a friend
  11. mate — to breed
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. spell — letters
  15. patient — calm and waiting
  16. spell — magic
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. root — of a word
  19. patient — a sick person
  20. spell — a short time
  21. court — of law
  22. mate — a partner
  23. craft — boats
  24. toast — bread

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