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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. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  4. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  7. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  18. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  21. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  22. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. object — an aim
  2. object — a thing
  3. charge — electricity
  4. root — the cause
  5. root — of a plant
  6. rush — to hurry
  7. dip — to sink
  8. suit — in cards
  9. key — in music
  10. key — for a lock
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. rush — hurry
  13. charge — a price
  14. dip — to dunk
  15. suit — clothes
  16. charge — in control
  17. prune — to trim
  18. prune — to trim
  19. suit — to fit
  20. root — of a word
  21. prune — the fruit
  22. dip — a sauce
  23. key — the most important part
  24. object — to protest

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