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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 116 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 flowers bloom in the ________________.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  4. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  8. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  13. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  14. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  18. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  23. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  24. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.

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

Answer key

  1. spring — the season
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. root — of a plant
  4. bass — low music
  5. rock — a stone
  6. can — a tin
  7. vault — a safe
  8. dip — a sauce
  9. can — a tin
  10. vault — in gymnastics
  11. can — to be able to
  12. dip — to sink
  13. vault — an arched ceiling
  14. root — the cause
  15. rock — music
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. bass — the instrument
  18. spring — a coil
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. spring — of water
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. bass — the fish
  23. dip — to dunk
  24. root — of a word

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