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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. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  5. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  6. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  7. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  8. The ________________ went through the wall.
  9. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  21. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. root — the cause
  3. deal — to handle
  4. staff — employees
  5. scale — in music
  6. nail — on a finger
  7. press — newspapers
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. staff — a stick
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. press — to push
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. scale — for weighing
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. press — a publisher
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. staff — employees
  21. root — of a word
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. scale — size or range

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