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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: bear · craft · plane · safe · deal · hand · racket · root

  1. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. The ________________ took off on time.
  9. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  10. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  13. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  14. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  15. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  16. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  17. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  18. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  19. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  20. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  23. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  24. He hit the ball with his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. craft — a skill
  2. root — of a plant
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. hand — part of the body
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. bear — the animal
  7. plane — a tool
  8. plane — an aircraft
  9. deal — an agreement
  10. craft — a handicraft
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. bear — to put up with
  13. plane — in geometry
  14. craft — boats
  15. racket — for tennis
  16. hand — in cards
  17. bear — the animal
  18. deal — to handle
  19. hand — help
  20. racket — a loud noise
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. root — the cause
  23. root — of a word
  24. racket — for tennis

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