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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. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  5. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  6. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  7. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  8. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  9. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  14. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  17. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  18. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  21. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  24. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. trunk — of a tree
  6. bay — to keep at bay
  7. row — a line
  8. lean — thin
  9. row — to paddle
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. trunk — of an elephant
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. root — the cause
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. lean — to bend
  17. trunk — of a car
  18. lean — to rest against
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. row — a quarrel
  21. bay — a part of the sea
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. jam — in traffic
  24. root — of a word

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