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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: press · root · deal · calf · rash · cue · staff · craft

  1. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  3. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  4. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  5. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  8. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  11. Did you ________________ the button?
  12. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  13. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  14. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. Don't do anything ________________.
  22. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  23. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  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. rash — a series
  2. cue — a signal
  3. craft — boats
  4. staff — employees
  5. press — a publisher
  6. deal — to handle
  7. root — of a plant
  8. staff — a stick
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. rash — on the skin
  11. press — to push
  12. calf — of the leg
  13. deal — a big deal
  14. press — newspapers
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. cue — a hint
  17. staff — employees
  18. cue — for pool
  19. craft — a handicraft
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. rash — hasty
  22. root — of a word
  23. craft — a skill
  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