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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: chip · root · spell · temple · staff · rock · game · band

  1. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  6. How do you ________________ your surname?
  7. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  8. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  9. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  10. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  11. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  14. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  15. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  16. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  17. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  20. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. That was a fun ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. root — of a plant
  3. staff — employees
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. temple — side of the head
  6. spell — letters
  7. game — wild animals
  8. band — a ring
  9. spell — a short time
  10. spell — magic
  11. root — of a word
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. staff — employees
  14. chip — to eat
  15. band — a music group
  16. band — a rubber band
  17. chip — for betting
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. game — a kind of play
  20. chip — in a computer
  21. rock — music
  22. staff — a stick
  23. rock — a stone
  24. game — a match

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