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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. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  4. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  7. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  17. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  20. Did you ________________ the meat?
  21. I'll be taking the ________________.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  24. The spa offers ________________ extensions.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. tube — a container
  4. season — in sport
  5. root — the cause
  6. lash — to lash out
  7. tube — in a tire
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. lie — to recline
  10. fine — high quality
  11. suit — to fit
  12. net — for catching
  13. suit — in cards
  14. net — in sport
  15. suit — clothes
  16. root — of a word
  17. season — of the year
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. net — after costs
  20. season — to add flavour
  21. tube — the underground
  22. fine — all right
  23. fine — a penalty
  24. lash — an eyelash

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