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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. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  3. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  8. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. Where did you ________________ them?
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. My mare is ________________ in color.
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. fine — high quality
  3. trunk — of a tree
  4. root — of a word
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. current — of water
  7. root — the cause
  8. wave — with your hand
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. bay — a part of the sea
  11. fine — all right
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. wave — a sudden rise
  14. mug — a cup
  15. fan — to cool the air
  16. current — happening now
  17. mug — to rob
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. wave — of the sea
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. trunk — of an elephant
  22. mug — a face
  23. bay — a horse colour
  24. current — electric

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