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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. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. How do you ________________ your surname?
  8. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  9. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  10. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  14. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  15. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  16. Did you ________________ the button?
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  23. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  24. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. deal — to handle
  3. root — of a word
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. deal — an agreement
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. spell — letters
  8. root — of a plant
  9. press — newspapers
  10. spell — magic
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. branch — of a tree
  14. spell — a short time
  15. branch — of a bank
  16. press — to push
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. toast — bread
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. stand — to bear
  21. press — a publisher
  22. stand — for spectators
  23. branch — a division
  24. toast — the most admired

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