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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 116 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: root · key · spell · can · pass · bulb · fine · snap

  1. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. I've got to change the light ________________.
  3. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  4. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  5. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  6. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. This piece is in a major ________________.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  18. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  23. How do you ________________ your surname?
  24. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. bulb — for light
  3. root — the cause
  4. root — of a word
  5. snap — to speak sharply
  6. spell — magic
  7. bulb — for light
  8. key — in music
  9. can — a tin
  10. can — a tin
  11. key — the most important part
  12. key — for a lock
  13. snap — to click
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. fine — high quality
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. snap — to snap out of it
  18. fine — all right
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. can — to be able to
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. spell — a short time
  23. spell — letters
  24. root — of a plant

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