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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: root · current · stock · dip · pitch · lie · cabinet · key

  1. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  7. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  8. The ________________ market has crashed.
  9. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  13. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  16. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  22. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  23. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. pitch — completely
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. root — the cause
  5. lie — to recline
  6. cabinet — a cupboard
  7. root — of a word
  8. stock — shares
  9. root — of a plant
  10. key — the most important part
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. pitch — a sports field
  13. dip — to sink
  14. current — of water
  15. stock — a soup base
  16. dip — a sauce
  17. key — for a lock
  18. key — in music
  19. dip — to dunk
  20. current — electric
  21. stock — goods
  22. current — happening now
  23. pitch — a sales talk
  24. lie — an untruth

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