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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 ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. Did you ________________ the button?
  4. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  7. The King held a masked ________________.
  8. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  9. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  10. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  11. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  14. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  15. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a word
  2. current — electric
  3. press — to push
  4. squash — the vegetable
  5. mark — a grade
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. ball — a dance
  8. squash — the sport
  9. mouse — for a computer
  10. root — of a plant
  11. ball — a round shape
  12. mark — a trace
  13. press — newspapers
  14. root — the cause
  15. ball — a great time
  16. suit — in cards
  17. current — happening now
  18. current — of water
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. suit — clothes
  21. press — a publisher
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. suit — to fit
  24. squash — to crush

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