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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 120 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. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. The ________________ market has crashed.
  3. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  4. You don't need to ________________ round.
  5. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  6. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  7. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  11. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  14. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  15. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  16. We're almost out of ________________.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  21. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  22. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  23. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. stock — shares
  3. root — of a plant
  4. pop — to visit
  5. mine — an explosive
  6. stock — a soup base
  7. chip — to eat
  8. root — the cause
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. root — of a word
  11. chip — for betting
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. vault — an arched ceiling
  14. chip — in a computer
  15. mine — belonging to me
  16. pop — soda
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. vault — in gymnastics
  19. suit — to fit
  20. vault — a safe
  21. mine — for digging
  22. stock — goods
  23. pop — music
  24. suit — clothes

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