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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. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  5. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  14. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  19. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  24. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. suit — clothes
  4. rush — hurry
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. suit — in cards
  7. root — of a word
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. club — for dancing
  10. suit — to fit
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. mouse — for a computer
  14. root — of a plant
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. kick — with a leg
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. kick — in football
  19. rush — to hurry
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. club — for golf
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. club — a group
  24. kick — a thrill

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