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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. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  3. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  6. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  7. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  11. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  12. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  16. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  17. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. That was a fun ________________.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. craft — a handicraft
  3. bear — the animal
  4. suit — clothes
  5. game — a kind of play
  6. root — of a word
  7. bass — low music
  8. suit — to fit
  9. key — in music
  10. craft — a skill
  11. bear — to put up with
  12. bear — the animal
  13. rock — a stone
  14. rock — music
  15. bass — the instrument
  16. root — of a plant
  17. bass — the fish
  18. key — for a lock
  19. game — a match
  20. key — the most important part
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. game — wild animals
  23. suit — in cards
  24. craft — boats

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