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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. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  5. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  8. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  11. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  20. Did you ________________ the button?
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. fine — high quality
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. face — to point toward
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. board — to get on
  7. board — a flat piece
  8. press — a publisher
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. press — newspapers
  11. fine — a penalty
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. root — the cause
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. face — part of the head
  16. fine — all right
  17. face — to confront
  18. pass — a permit
  19. lash — an eyelash
  20. press — to push
  21. board — a committee
  22. fan — to cool the air
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. root — of a word

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