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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 120 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 hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  6. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  12. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  13. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  14. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  15. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  16. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  17. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  18. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  19. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  20. David sat on the ________________.
  21. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. root — of a plant
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. cue — for pool
  5. root — of a word
  6. staff — a stick
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. cue — a hint
  11. prune — to trim
  12. mark — a grade
  13. staff — employees
  14. prune — the fruit
  15. swing — in golf
  16. swing — music
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. prune — to trim
  19. staff — employees
  20. swing — to play on
  21. root — the cause
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. fan — to cool the air
  24. cue — a signal

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