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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. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  2. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  3. We're on a ________________ here.
  4. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  10. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  11. She's very handy with a ________________.
  12. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  13. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  14. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  17. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  18. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  21. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  24. He works in a ________________ mill.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — to crush
  2. roll — a list
  3. roll — on a roll
  4. foot — a measure
  5. root — the cause
  6. root — of a plant
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. root — of a word
  10. foot — the bottom
  11. saw — the tool
  12. mouse — for a computer
  13. vault — in gymnastics
  14. vault — an arched ceiling
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. vault — a safe
  17. squash — the vegetable
  18. squash — the sport
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. fan — to cool the air
  21. saw — past of 'see'
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. roll — a cake
  24. saw — the tool

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