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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: calf · bear · fine · root · can · snap · plane · deal

  1. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  2. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  3. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  4. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  5. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. The ________________ took off on time.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  23. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  24. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — an agreement
  2. root — of a word
  3. bear — the animal
  4. root — of a plant
  5. bear — to put up with
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. plane — a tool
  8. fine — high quality
  9. snap — to speak sharply
  10. fine — all right
  11. can — a tin
  12. snap — to click
  13. can — a tin
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. plane — an aircraft
  16. can — to be able to
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. snap — to snap out of it
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. deal — to handle
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. deal — a big deal
  23. bear — the animal
  24. root — the cause

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