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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. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. My mare is ________________ in color.
  3. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  6. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  7. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  8. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  9. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  10. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  11. The ________________ took off on time.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  20. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. bay — a horse colour
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. root — the cause
  7. cue — a hint
  8. charge — electricity
  9. plane — in geometry
  10. bay — a part of the sea
  11. plane — an aircraft
  12. bulb — for light
  13. plane — a tool
  14. charge — a price
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. stick — to attach or keep to
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. cue — for pool
  19. charge — in control
  20. cue — a signal
  21. bulb — for light
  22. bay — to keep at bay
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. root — of a word

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