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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 wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  3. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  4. That must've been a ________________.
  5. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  6. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  7. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  8. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  9. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  12. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  13. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  14. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  17. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  21. The ________________ market has crashed.
  22. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. root — of a word
  3. root — of a plant
  4. rush — a thrill
  5. stock — goods
  6. rush — to hurry
  7. mark — to pay attention
  8. lean — to bend
  9. face — part of the head
  10. rush — hurry
  11. lean — to rest against
  12. vault — a safe
  13. face — to point toward
  14. lean — thin
  15. mark — a trace
  16. stock — a soup base
  17. vault — in gymnastics
  18. pass — a permit
  19. mark — a grade
  20. vault — an arched ceiling
  21. stock — shares
  22. root — the cause
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. face — to confront

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