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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. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  12. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  18. The King held a masked ________________.
  19. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  22. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. current — happening now
  5. root — of a word
  6. current — of water
  7. current — electric
  8. mug — to rob
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. mug — a cup
  11. hand — in cards
  12. hand — part of the body
  13. ball — a great time
  14. root — of a plant
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. ball — a dance
  19. ball — a round shape
  20. mug — a face
  21. deal — to handle
  22. hand — help
  23. rush — hurry
  24. deal — an agreement

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