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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. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  10. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  11. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  14. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  15. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  21. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  22. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  23. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  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. fine — a penalty
  3. fall — to drop
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. lean — to bend
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. fall — the season
  8. root — the cause
  9. deal — to handle
  10. lie — to recline
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. lean — thin
  14. racket — a loud noise
  15. jam — to spread on bread
  16. fine — all right
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. jam — a tight spot
  19. fine — high quality
  20. racket — for tennis
  21. deal — a big deal
  22. fall — to drop
  23. lean — to rest against
  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