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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 train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  3. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  4. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  8. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  9. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  10. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  14. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  15. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  22. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  23. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  24. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. net — for catching
  3. root — of a plant
  4. chip — for betting
  5. suit — clothes
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. net — in sport
  8. patient — a sick person
  9. root — of a word
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. cue — for pool
  13. cue — a signal
  14. chip — to eat
  15. net — after costs
  16. suit — to fit
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. suit — in cards
  19. lie — to recline
  20. cue — a hint
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. chip — in a computer
  23. root — the cause
  24. patient — calm and waiting

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