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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. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  4. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  5. It's one o'clock ________________.
  6. My mare is ________________ in color.
  7. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  8. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  11. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  12. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  13. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  14. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  15. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  20. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  21. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  24. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. can — a tin
  3. rest — what's left
  4. branch — of a tree
  5. sharp — exactly
  6. bay — a horse colour
  7. root — of a word
  8. branch — a division
  9. can — a tin
  10. bay — a part of the sea
  11. object — to protest
  12. object — an aim
  13. sharp — clever
  14. object — a thing
  15. rest — a break
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. can — to be able to
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. root — the cause
  20. sharp — with an edge
  21. branch — of a bank
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. rest — what's left
  24. bay — to keep at bay

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