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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. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. Did you ________________ the meat?
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. Have you met the new head ________________?
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. I've got to change the light ________________.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  17. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  18. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  19. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  20. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  23. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. season — in sport
  4. root — of a word
  5. rock — a stone
  6. season — to add flavour
  7. bulb — for light
  8. root — the cause
  9. prune — the fruit
  10. cue — a hint
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. bulb — for light
  15. current — electric
  16. root — of a plant
  17. prune — to trim
  18. coach — pulled by horses
  19. current — of water
  20. season — of the year
  21. rock — music
  22. cue — for pool
  23. prune — to trim
  24. cue — a signal

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