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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. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  8. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  9. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  10. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  11. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  12. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  16. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. The light ________________ burned out.
  19. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  20. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  23. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  24. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. bulb — for light
  4. cue — a hint
  5. root — of a word
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. wax — to grow
  9. wax — in the ear
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. cue — for pool
  12. jam — in traffic
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. cue — a signal
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. wax — for sculpting
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. bulb — for light
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. calf — of the leg
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. patient — calm and waiting
  23. patient — a sick person
  24. root — of a plant

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