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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. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  5. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  6. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. False peace will not ________________.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  13. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  14. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  15. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  16. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  17. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  20. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  21. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  24. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. racket — a loud noise
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. root — of a plant
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. charge — in control
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. last — to go on
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. file — a line of people
  11. stand — to bear
  12. pit — a fruit stone
  13. pit — a hole
  14. file — a tool
  15. last — finally
  16. racket — for tennis
  17. last — final
  18. charge — electricity
  19. file — a document
  20. stand — on your feet
  21. root — of a word
  22. charge — a price
  23. stand — for spectators
  24. pit — in a race

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