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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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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: fan · root · deal · rock · key · arm · leaves · swing

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. My father caught me by the ________________.
  3. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  4. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  8. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  9. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  10. David sat on the ________________.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  16. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  24. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. arm — part of the body
  3. root — of a word
  4. key — for a lock
  5. rock — a stone
  6. deal — to handle
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. swing — music
  9. arm — a part of something
  10. swing — to play on
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. root — the cause
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. deal — an agreement
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. rock — music
  18. key — in music
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. fan — to cool the air
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. key — the most important part
  23. root — of a plant
  24. swing — in golf

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