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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: row · bat · scale · safe · fan · mug · root · mouse

  1. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  6. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  7. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  8. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  9. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  10. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  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. safe — a strongbox
  2. root — of a plant
  3. scale — in music
  4. root — of a word
  5. mug — a face
  6. bat — the animal
  7. row — to paddle
  8. mouse — for a computer
  9. bat — in an idiom
  10. scale — for weighing
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. row — a quarrel
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. mug — to rob
  15. row — a line
  16. mug — a cup
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. scale — size or range
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. bat — for baseball
  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