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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. The ________________ took off on time.
  3. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  8. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  9. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  14. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  17. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  20. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  24. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. plane — an aircraft
  3. root — of a word
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. root — the cause
  6. plane — a tool
  7. plane — in geometry
  8. cap — a lid
  9. lash — to lash out
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. rest — what's left
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. cap — of ice
  14. nail — for a hammer
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. nail — on a finger
  17. mouse — for a computer
  18. mark — a grade
  19. rest — a break
  20. lash — a whip stroke
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. mark — a trace
  23. rest — what's left
  24. cap — a hat

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