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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. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  2. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.
  3. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  4. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  5. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  6. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  7. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  8. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  9. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  10. I'll be taking the ________________.
  11. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  12. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  15. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  16. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  17. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  18. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  19. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  20. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  21. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  22. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  23. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  24. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. capital — money
  3. root — of a plant
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. bass — the fish
  6. tube — a container
  7. bass — low music
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. jam — in traffic
  10. tube — the underground
  11. capital — a big letter
  12. bank — for money
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. bank — for money
  16. bank — of a river
  17. bass — the instrument
  18. root — the cause
  19. jam — to spread on bread
  20. root — of a word
  21. mouse — for a computer
  22. capital — a city
  23. tube — in a tire
  24. stick — to attach or keep to

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