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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. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. That was ________________ to happen.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  10. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  11. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  16. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  23. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  24. The players ran onto the football ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. bound — certain
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. bound — tied together
  8. root — the cause
  9. jam — a tight spot
  10. clip — to cut
  11. pitch — completely
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. clip — for paper
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. root — of a word
  16. clip — a video
  17. key — the most important part
  18. key — in music
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. key — for a lock
  22. bound — obliged
  23. pitch — a sales talk
  24. pitch — a sports field

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