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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. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  3. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. How do you ________________ your surname?
  8. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  16. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  17. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  20. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. face — to point toward
  3. face — part of the head
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. suit — clothes
  6. rock — a stone
  7. spell — letters
  8. spell — magic
  9. suit — to fit
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. fine — a penalty
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. suit — in cards
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. spell — a short time
  16. root — of a plant
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. root — of a word
  19. fine — all right
  20. nail — on a finger
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. face — to confront
  23. rock — music
  24. fine — high quality

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