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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. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  2. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  6. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  7. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  13. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  14. I'll be taking the ________________.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  17. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.

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

Answer key

  1. face — to confront
  2. tube — in a tire
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. suit — clothes
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. root — of a plant
  7. leaves — to go away
  8. root — the cause
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. face — part of the head
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. face — to point toward
  13. bore — gave birth
  14. tube — the underground
  15. suit — in cards
  16. bore — to drill
  17. mouse — for a computer
  18. suit — to fit
  19. tube — a container
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. bore — to tire
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. safe — out of danger
  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