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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 ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  7. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  8. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  9. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. He is an ace ________________.
  13. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. False peace will not ________________.
  21. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  22. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  23. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  24. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. fine — high quality
  4. mug — to rob
  5. mug — a cup
  6. fine — all right
  7. root — the cause
  8. bass — the fish
  9. last — final
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. pitcher — in baseball
  13. root — of a word
  14. plane — a tool
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. mug — a face
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. bass — low music
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. last — to go on
  21. last — finally
  22. bass — the instrument
  23. pitcher — a jug
  24. fine — a penalty

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