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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.

Make a worksheet

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: game · key · perch · root · spell · suit · deal · bark

  1. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  4. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  5. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  6. That was a fun ________________.
  7. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  8. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  9. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  10. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  17. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. How do you ________________ your surname?
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. bark — to shout
  2. root — of a plant
  3. bark — a dog's sound
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. game — a kind of play
  6. game — a match
  7. root — the cause
  8. perch — the fish
  9. deal — to handle
  10. perch — for a bird
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. game — wild animals
  13. key — in music
  14. spell — magic
  15. key — the most important part
  16. bark — of a tree
  17. root — of a word
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. spell — a short time
  20. key — for a lock
  21. suit — in cards
  22. suit — to fit
  23. spell — letters
  24. suit — clothes

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