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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 120 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 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  4. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  5. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  8. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  9. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  10. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  11. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  12. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  15. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  21. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  22. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  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 word
  2. current — of water
  3. root — of a plant
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. scale — for weighing
  6. current — happening now
  7. root — the cause
  8. prune — to trim
  9. prune — the fruit
  10. deal — to handle
  11. prune — to trim
  12. trunk — of a car
  13. suit — clothes
  14. trunk — of a tree
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. suit — to fit
  17. stick — to attach or keep to
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. suit — in cards
  20. trunk — of an elephant
  21. deal — an agreement
  22. scale — in music
  23. current — electric
  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