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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: can · bat · fine · temple · ruler · root · suit · clip

  1. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  5. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. When was this ________________ built?
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  11. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  20. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  23. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  24. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. can — a tin
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. bat — in an idiom
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. suit — to fit
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. fine — high quality
  9. suit — in cards
  10. root — the cause
  11. clip — to cut
  12. fine — all right
  13. suit — clothes
  14. temple — side of the head
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. clip — a video
  17. can — a tin
  18. can — to be able to
  19. bat — the animal
  20. fine — a penalty
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. clip — for paper
  23. root — of a word
  24. bat — for baseball

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