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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 a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  4. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  5. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  6. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  7. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  8. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  9. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  12. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  13. Don't do anything ________________.
  14. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  15. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  16. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  17. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  20. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  23. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. foot — the bottom
  4. root — the cause
  5. row — a quarrel
  6. foot — part of the body
  7. chip — to eat
  8. row — to paddle
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. mug — to rob
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. chip — in a computer
  13. rash — hasty
  14. root — of a word
  15. row — a line
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. foot — a measure
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. chip — for betting
  20. rash — a series
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. mouse — for a computer
  23. mug — a cup
  24. mug — a face

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