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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 116 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. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  7. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  8. David sat on the ________________.
  9. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  10. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  19. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. This piece is in a major ________________.
  23. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  24. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. lie — to recline
  3. mine — belonging to me
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. current — of water
  6. root — of a plant
  7. craft — a handicraft
  8. swing — to play on
  9. craft — boats
  10. mine — for digging
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. key — the most important part
  14. craft — a skill
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. current — electric
  18. swing — in golf
  19. root — of a word
  20. key — for a lock
  21. current — happening now
  22. key — in music
  23. mine — an explosive
  24. swing — music

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