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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.

Make a worksheet

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: leaves · rash · dip · charge · toast · trunk · cabinet · root

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  9. Don't do anything ________________.
  10. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  11. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  12. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  13. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  14. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  22. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  23. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  24. The ________________ change colour in autumn.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. dip — to sink
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. charge — in control
  5. root — of a word
  6. toast — bread
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. charge — electricity
  9. rash — hasty
  10. dip — a sauce
  11. trunk — of an elephant
  12. rash — a series
  13. dip — to dunk
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. charge — a price
  17. toast — a drink to someone
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. root — the cause
  22. root — of a plant
  23. trunk — of a tree
  24. leaves — of a tree

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