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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: key · mouse · cabinet · straw · staff · cue · root · field

  1. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  4. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  5. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  6. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  7. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  10. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  20. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  21. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  22. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  23. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  24. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. root — the cause
  3. straw — dry grass
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. key — for a lock
  6. straw — to clutch at straws
  7. field — a subject
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. cue — a signal
  10. root — of a word
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. cue — a hint
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. staff — a stick
  16. key — in music
  17. straw — a straw man
  18. key — the most important part
  19. field — for sport
  20. mouse — for a computer
  21. staff — employees
  22. field — farmland
  23. staff — employees
  24. cue — for pool

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