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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. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  3. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  8. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  12. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  13. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  14. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  17. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  18. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  19. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. fine — high quality
  3. lash — to lash out
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. can — a tin
  6. can — a tin
  7. face — part of the head
  8. content — videos and posts
  9. can — to be able to
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  12. root — the cause
  13. content — happy
  14. face — to point toward
  15. fine — all right
  16. root — of a word
  17. kid — to tease
  18. content — the amount
  19. kid — child
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. fine — a penalty
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. face — to confront

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