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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: rash · ruler · net · key · temple · bulb · root · bark

  1. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. Don't do anything ________________.
  7. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  8. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  9. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  12. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  16. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  17. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — side of the head
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. key — in music
  4. root — of a word
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. rash — hasty
  7. rash — on the skin
  8. net — in sport
  9. root — the cause
  10. key — for a lock
  11. bark — to shout
  12. rash — a series
  13. bulb — for light
  14. key — the most important part
  15. bark — of a tree
  16. net — after costs
  17. root — of a plant
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. bulb — of a plant
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. net — for catching
  22. bulb — for light
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. bark — a dog's sound

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