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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. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  5. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  6. She's very handy with a ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. Have you met the new head ________________?
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. He works in a ________________ mill.
  17. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  20. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  21. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — to spread on bread
  2. root — the cause
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. track — a song
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. saw — the tool
  7. can — a tin
  8. can — to be able to
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. coach — pulled by horses
  12. mug — a cup
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. track — to keep track
  15. can — a tin
  16. saw — the tool
  17. root — of a word
  18. mug — a face
  19. fine — all right
  20. track — a path
  21. root — of a plant
  22. mug — to rob
  23. fine — a penalty
  24. fine — high quality

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