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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. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  7. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  11. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  12. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  13. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  14. My father caught me by the ________________.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  17. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  18. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  19. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  20. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  21. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  22. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  23. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  24. The old man leaned on his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. root — of a plant
  3. can — to be able to
  4. arm — a part of something
  5. can — a tin
  6. bear — to put up with
  7. cap — a lid
  8. can — a tin
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. staff — employees
  11. cap — a hat
  12. root — of a word
  13. branch — a division
  14. arm — part of the body
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. cap — of ice
  17. bear — the animal
  18. bear — the animal
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. root — the cause
  21. branch — of a tree
  22. staff — employees
  23. branch — of a bank
  24. staff — a stick

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