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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. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  3. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  4. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  10. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  11. My mare is ________________ in color.
  12. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  13. The ________________ went through the wall.
  14. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  15. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  16. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  21. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  22. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  23. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  24. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. lash — a whip stroke
  3. stand — for spectators
  4. lash — an eyelash
  5. root — of a plant
  6. current — of water
  7. bay — a part of the sea
  8. stand — to bear
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. lash — to lash out
  11. bay — a horse colour
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. root — of a word
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. current — electric
  18. nail — on a finger
  19. current — happening now
  20. bay — to keep at bay
  21. stand — on your feet
  22. stick — to attach or keep to
  23. fan — to cool the air
  24. fan — a supporter

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