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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. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  5. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  6. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  7. The King held a masked ________________.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. That must've been a ________________.
  11. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  14. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. cap — a hat
  3. rock — a stone
  4. chip — for betting
  5. ball — a great time
  6. chip — to eat
  7. ball — a dance
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. rush — a thrill
  11. root — the cause
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. cap — a lid
  14. rush — hurry
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. chip — in a computer
  17. rock — music
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. cap — of ice
  20. pass — a permit
  21. ball — a round shape
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. root — of a word
  24. pass — to succeed

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