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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
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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: bass · stick · rock · key · root · toast · cabinet · staff

  1. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  2. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  12. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  13. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  14. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  15. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  16. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  21. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  22. This piece is in a major ________________.
  23. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  24. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.

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

Answer key

  1. toast — bread
  2. bass — the fish
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. key — for a lock
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. rock — a stone
  7. bass — the instrument
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. root — the cause
  12. key — the most important part
  13. root — of a plant
  14. staff — a stick
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. bass — low music
  17. staff — employees
  18. root — of a word
  19. rock — music
  20. staff — employees
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. key — in music
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. toast — the most admired

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