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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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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: root · ground · roll · stick · deal · pass · safe · last

  1. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  4. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. There's no middle ________________.
  13. We're on a ________________ here.
  14. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  15. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. False peace will not ________________.
  18. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  19. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. last — final
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. roll — a list
  5. root — the cause
  6. last — finally
  7. deal — to handle
  8. ground — crushed
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. root — of a word
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. ground — a position
  13. roll — on a roll
  14. root — of a plant
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. last — to go on
  18. roll — a cake
  19. ground — the earth
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. stick — to attach or keep to
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. deal — a big deal
  24. pass — a permit

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