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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. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  7. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  8. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  13. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  14. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  17. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  21. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. Recycle the empty soda ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a committee
  2. root — the cause
  3. cue — a hint
  4. cue — for pool
  5. can — to be able to
  6. rush — hurry
  7. root — of a plant
  8. wake — to stop sleeping
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. rock — music
  11. can — a tin
  12. wake — before a funeral
  13. deal — to handle
  14. board — to get on
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. deal — an agreement
  17. wake — a trail
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. cue — a signal
  21. root — of a word
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. rock — a stone
  24. can — a tin

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