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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 ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  6. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  9. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  12. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  13. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  14. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  21. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  22. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  23. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. prune — the fruit
  4. key — in music
  5. prune — to trim
  6. rest — what's left
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. face — to confront
  9. root — the cause
  10. rush — hurry
  11. root — of a word
  12. face — part of the head
  13. mouse — for a computer
  14. prune — to trim
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. key — the most important part
  20. rush — to hurry
  21. face — to point toward
  22. rest — a break
  23. rest — what's left
  24. key — for a lock

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