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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.

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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: current · band · roll · sharp · dip · root · coach · pass

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  4. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  5. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. It's one o'clock ________________.
  8. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  11. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. We're on a ________________ here.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. Have you met the new head ________________?
  18. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  19. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  20. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  21. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  22. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  23. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  24. He's quite ________________, isn't he?

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. dip — to sink
  3. root — the cause
  4. band — a rubber band
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. sharp — exactly
  8. dip — to dunk
  9. current — electric
  10. root — of a plant
  11. coach — pulled by horses
  12. current — of water
  13. roll — on a roll
  14. current — happening now
  15. root — of a word
  16. pass — a permit
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. band — a music group
  19. dip — a sauce
  20. sharp — with an edge
  21. roll — a cake
  22. band — a ring
  23. roll — a list
  24. sharp — clever

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