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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.

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: calf · cap · nail · root · squash · cabinet · net · staff

  1. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  2. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  3. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  4. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  9. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  10. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  13. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  14. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  15. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  16. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  21. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  22. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  23. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  24. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — the vegetable
  2. cap — a hat
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. cap — a lid
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. squash — to crush
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. net — after costs
  9. staff — a stick
  10. root — the cause
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. staff — employees
  13. net — in sport
  14. root — of a plant
  15. squash — the sport
  16. net — for catching
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. nail — on a finger
  21. cap — of ice
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. staff — employees
  24. root — of a word

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