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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 were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  4. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  5. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  6. He works in a ________________ mill.
  7. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  10. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  11. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  12. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  20. She's very handy with a ________________.
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. False peace will not ________________.
  23. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  24. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. rock — a stone
  3. rock — music
  4. root — the cause
  5. spring — of water
  6. saw — the tool
  7. last — finally
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. saw — past of 'see'
  10. spring — a coil
  11. last — final
  12. face — to point toward
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. current — of water
  15. current — electric
  16. face — part of the head
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. face — to confront
  20. saw — the tool
  21. current — happening now
  22. last — to go on
  23. spring — the season
  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