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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. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  3. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  4. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  5. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  6. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  7. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  8. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  9. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  10. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  11. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  12. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  13. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  14. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  15. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  16. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  17. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  20. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  21. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. track — to keep track
  3. dip — to sink
  4. hide — to keep secret
  5. bass — the fish
  6. patient — a sick person
  7. dip — to dunk
  8. track — a path
  9. mark — a grade
  10. root — the cause
  11. bass — low music
  12. patient — a sick person
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. dip — a sauce
  15. hide — animal skin
  16. cue — a hint
  17. cue — for pool
  18. root — of a word
  19. mark — a trace
  20. bass — the instrument
  21. patient — calm and waiting
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. cue — a signal
  24. track — a song

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