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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. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  3. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  4. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  5. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  6. It's one o'clock ________________.
  7. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  11. The King held a masked ________________.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  14. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  17. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  20. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. file — a tool
  3. root — of a plant
  4. pitch — completely
  5. bore — gave birth
  6. sharp — exactly
  7. bore — to tire
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. sharp — with an edge
  11. ball — a dance
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. root — of a word
  14. pitch — a sports field
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. pitch — a sales talk
  17. bore — to drill
  18. mark — a grade
  19. file — a line of people
  20. ball — a great time
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. sharp — clever
  23. mark — a trace
  24. file — a document

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