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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. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  7. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  10. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  11. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  14. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  15. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  16. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  17. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  18. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  19. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  20. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  21. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  24. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  3. suit — in cards
  4. cap — a lid
  5. lie — to recline
  6. wax — in the ear
  7. deal — a big deal
  8. suit — to fit
  9. root — of a word
  10. bore — gave birth
  11. wax — for sculpting
  12. suit — clothes
  13. root — the cause
  14. cap — a hat
  15. cap — of ice
  16. kid — child
  17. deal — to handle
  18. bore — to tire
  19. deal — an agreement
  20. bore — to drill
  21. wax — to grow
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. kid — to tease

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