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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 120 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: suit · board · fork · snap · can · calf · sharp · root

  1. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  2. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. It's one o'clock ________________.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  10. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  17. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  18. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  19. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  23. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  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. board — a committee
  2. sharp — clever
  3. can — a tin
  4. root — of a word
  5. fork — in a road
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. sharp — exactly
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. root — of a plant
  10. snap — to snap out of it
  11. can — a tin
  12. suit — clothes
  13. suit — in cards
  14. fork — to eat with
  15. can — to be able to
  16. fork — a garden tool
  17. snap — to speak sharply
  18. calf — of the leg
  19. snap — to click
  20. suit — to fit
  21. board — to get on
  22. board — a flat piece
  23. sharp — with an edge
  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