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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. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  5. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  8. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  16. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  17. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. root — of a word
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. branch — of a bank
  5. deal — to handle
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. hand — help
  8. deal — an agreement
  9. charge — a price
  10. branch — of a tree
  11. mark — a grade
  12. charge — in control
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. plane — a tool
  15. deal — a big deal
  16. hand — part of the body
  17. root — of a plant
  18. pass — a permit
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. hand — in cards
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. mark — a trace
  23. branch — a division
  24. charge — electricity

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