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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.

Make a worksheet

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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Word bank
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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. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  3. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  4. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  5. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  6. When are we going to ________________?
  7. When was this ________________ built?
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. Don't do anything ________________.
  10. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  11. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  12. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  13. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  16. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  20. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. I seem to be developing a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. land — ground
  4. root — of a plant
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. land — to come down
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. rash — hasty
  10. lie — to recline
  11. land — a country
  12. stick — to attach or keep to
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. root — of a word
  16. temple — side of the head
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. rush — hurry
  19. rash — a series
  20. fan — to cool the air
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. rash — on the skin

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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