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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. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  3. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  4. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  7. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  8. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  12. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  13. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  14. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  15. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  18. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  19. The ________________ took off on time.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. content — the amount
  3. net — in sport
  4. mark — a trace
  5. root — the cause
  6. deal — an agreement
  7. root — of a word
  8. deal — to handle
  9. charge — a price
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. content — happy
  12. chip — for betting
  13. chip — to eat
  14. net — for catching
  15. content — videos and posts
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. root — of a plant
  18. chip — in a computer
  19. plane — an aircraft
  20. charge — electricity
  21. net — after costs
  22. charge — in control
  23. mark — a grade
  24. deal — a big deal

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