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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. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  3. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  9. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. He is an ace ________________.
  12. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  13. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  22. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  23. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. net — in sport
  3. hide — animal skin
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. rock — a stone
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. key — in music
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. pitcher — a jug
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. pitcher — in baseball
  12. net — for catching
  13. net — after costs
  14. key — the most important part
  15. pass — a permit
  16. root — of a word
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. rock — music
  21. hide — to keep secret
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. root — the cause
  24. key — for a lock

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