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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: spell · pitcher · last · cabinet · root · lie · ruler · pass

  1. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  2. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  3. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  4. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. False peace will not ________________.
  16. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  19. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  20. He is an ace ________________.
  21. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  22. How do you ________________ your surname?
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — a jug
  2. root — of a word
  3. spell — magic
  4. root — the cause
  5. lie — to recline
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. root — of a plant
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. last — to go on
  16. last — final
  17. pass — a permit
  18. spell — a short time
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. pitcher — in baseball
  21. last — finally
  22. spell — letters
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. lie — an untruth

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