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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 124 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: safe · root · spell · cabinet · arm · lash · cue · clip

  1. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  2. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  3. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  4. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  7. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  8. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  11. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  15. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. How do you ________________ your surname?
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  22. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  23. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  24. My father caught me by the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a word
  2. cue — for pool
  3. lash — a whip stroke
  4. clip — a video
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. root — the cause
  7. spell — a short time
  8. clip — to cut
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. spell — magic
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. cue — a signal
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. root — of a plant
  15. cue — a hint
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. arm — a part of something
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. spell — letters
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. lash — an eyelash
  23. clip — for paper
  24. arm — part of the body

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