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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 a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  6. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  14. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  15. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  16. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  17. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  22. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  23. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  24. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. can — a tin
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. bass — the instrument
  6. bass — the fish
  7. rock — a stone
  8. bass — low music
  9. rock — music
  10. can — a tin
  11. prune — to trim
  12. can — to be able to
  13. content — videos and posts
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. root — of a word
  16. prune — the fruit
  17. root — the cause
  18. lie — to recline
  19. stick — to attach or keep to
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. prune — to trim
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. content — the amount
  24. content — happy

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