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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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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: pit · cabinet · lean · toast · present · root · stick · charge

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  4. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  7. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  8. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  11. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  12. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  13. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  14. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. The tickets are free of ________________.
  19. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  22. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  23. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. root — the cause
  3. root — of a word
  4. stick — to attach or keep to
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. pit — in a race
  7. lean — to rest against
  8. lean — to bend
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. pit — a fruit stone
  11. root — of a plant
  12. present — there
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. toast — the most admired
  15. charge — electricity
  16. lean — thin
  17. toast — bread
  18. charge — a price
  19. present — the time now
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. pit — a hole
  22. present — a gift
  23. toast — a drink to someone
  24. charge — in control

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