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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
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: scale · swing · prune · racket · fan · bulb · root · safe

  1. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  2. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  3. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  8. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  9. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  10. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  11. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. David sat on the ________________.
  14. I've got to change the light ________________.
  15. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  16. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  17. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  18. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  19. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  20. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — music
  2. swing — in golf
  3. root — the cause
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. root — of a word
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. scale — for weighing
  9. scale — size or range
  10. root — of a plant
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. bulb — for light
  13. swing — to play on
  14. bulb — for light
  15. racket — a loud noise
  16. racket — for tennis
  17. prune — to trim
  18. prune — the fruit
  19. prune — to trim
  20. scale — in music
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. safe — out of danger

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