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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 speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  2. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  3. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  4. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  8. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  9. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  10. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  13. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  14. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  15. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  16. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  17. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  20. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  21. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.

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

Answer key

  1. wake — a trail
  2. bass — the fish
  3. bore — to drill
  4. trunk — of an elephant
  5. root — of a plant
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. trunk — of a car
  8. bore — gave birth
  9. wake — before a funeral
  10. staff — a stick
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. root — the cause
  13. staff — employees
  14. bass — low music
  15. deal — a big deal
  16. bass — the instrument
  17. staff — employees
  18. root — of a word
  19. bore — to tire
  20. wake — to stop sleeping
  21. deal — to handle
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. trunk — of a tree

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