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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. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  3. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  4. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. She's very handy with a ________________.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  21. The ________________ took off on time.
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  24. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. craft — a skill
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. craft — a handicraft
  5. root — of a plant
  6. plane — a tool
  7. saw — the tool
  8. root — the cause
  9. root — of a word
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. current — electric
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. current — happening now
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. saw — past of 'see'
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. plane — in geometry
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. plane — an aircraft
  22. current — of water
  23. stick — to attach or keep to
  24. craft — boats

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