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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 116 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: squash · bank · mark · root · can · fine · lash · saw

  1. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  7. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  10. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  11. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  12. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  15. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  18. She's very handy with a ________________.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  22. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  23. He works in a ________________ mill.
  24. I'd like to play a game of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. can — to be able to
  3. squash — to crush
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. root — of a plant
  7. mark — to pay attention
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. mark — a grade
  10. root — of a word
  11. fine — high quality
  12. bank — for money
  13. can — a tin
  14. squash — the vegetable
  15. saw — past of 'see'
  16. mark — a trace
  17. fine — all right
  18. saw — the tool
  19. bank — for money
  20. can — a tin
  21. fine — a penalty
  22. bank — of a river
  23. saw — the tool
  24. squash — the sport

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