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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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  3. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  4. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  5. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  6. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. He is an ace ________________.
  9. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  10. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  11. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  12. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  13. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  14. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  15. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  16. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  17. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  18. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  19. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  20. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  21. My father caught me by the ________________.
  22. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  23. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  24. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. pit — in a race
  3. pit — a fruit stone
  4. track — a song
  5. craft — a handicraft
  6. pit — a hole
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. pitcher — in baseball
  9. root — of a word
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. root — the cause
  12. craft — boats
  13. track — a path
  14. snap — to speak sharply
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. track — to keep track
  18. nail — on a finger
  19. craft — a skill
  20. snap — to snap out of it
  21. arm — part of the body
  22. arm — a part of something
  23. pitcher — a jug
  24. snap — to click

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