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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 116 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: pass · spell · rash · can · pit · safe · kick · root

  1. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  5. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  6. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  7. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  8. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  9. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. How do you ________________ your surname?
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. Don't do anything ________________.
  16. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  23. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  24. I seem to be developing a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — a short time
  2. root — of a plant
  3. pass — a permit
  4. kick — a thrill
  5. spell — magic
  6. root — the cause
  7. rash — a series
  8. pit — a hole
  9. root — of a word
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. spell — letters
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. can — to be able to
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. rash — hasty
  16. kick — with a leg
  17. can — a tin
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. can — a tin
  20. pit — a fruit stone
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. pit — in a race
  23. kick — in football
  24. rash — on the skin

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