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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 ________________ went through the wall.
  2. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  3. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  4. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  7. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  10. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  11. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  12. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  20. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. bowl — a football final
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. bowl — to roll
  5. key — in music
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. bowl — a dish
  8. rock — a stone
  9. current — happening now
  10. nail — on a finger
  11. racket — a loud noise
  12. key — the most important part
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. root — the cause
  15. rock — music
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. key — for a lock
  19. root — of a word
  20. root — of a plant
  21. current — of water
  22. current — electric
  23. racket — for tennis
  24. mouse — the animal

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