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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 captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  3. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  4. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  10. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  11. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  12. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  13. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  14. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  15. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  16. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  17. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  18. Did you ________________ the meat?
  19. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  22. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  23. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. board — to get on
  3. lie — to recline
  4. board — a committee
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. pass — a permit
  7. rest — what's left
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. object — a thing
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. board — a flat piece
  12. pound — for dogs
  13. root — of a word
  14. rest — what's left
  15. object — an aim
  16. pound — to hit hard
  17. pound — a weight
  18. season — to add flavour
  19. root — of a plant
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. season — of the year
  22. season — in sport
  23. rest — a break
  24. object — to protest

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