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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: current · chip · can · root · game · deal · patient · prune

  1. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  6. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  7. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  8. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  9. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  10. That was a fun ________________.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  13. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  14. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  17. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  18. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  21. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  24. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. can — a tin
  3. game — a kind of play
  4. can — a tin
  5. deal — to handle
  6. root — of a word
  7. chip — in a computer
  8. patient — a sick person
  9. chip — for betting
  10. game — a match
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. root — the cause
  13. game — wild animals
  14. prune — to trim
  15. chip — to eat
  16. current — electric
  17. prune — the fruit
  18. patient — a sick person
  19. can — to be able to
  20. prune — to trim
  21. deal — a big deal
  22. current — of water
  23. current — happening now
  24. patient — calm and waiting

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