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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. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  6. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  12. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  13. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  14. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  17. How do you ________________ your surname?
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  20. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  21. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  22. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. root — the cause
  3. root — of a word
  4. pass — a permit
  5. spell — a short time
  6. chair — a professorship
  7. charge — in control
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. charge — a price
  11. drill — the tool
  12. spell — magic
  13. chair — a leader
  14. chair — to sit on
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. drill — army training
  17. spell — letters
  18. charge — electricity
  19. jam — to spread on bread
  20. rush — to hurry
  21. drill — a practice
  22. jam — a tight spot
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. rush — hurry

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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