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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: bear · root · bulb · track · season · vault · scale · lie

  1. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. Did you ________________ the meat?
  7. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  8. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  9. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  10. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  11. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  12. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  13. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  14. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  15. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  16. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  17. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  18. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  21. I've got to change the light ________________.
  22. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  23. The light ________________ burned out.
  24. Spring is a pleasant ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. track — a path
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. season — to add flavour
  7. scale — for weighing
  8. scale — in music
  9. track — a song
  10. root — of a word
  11. vault — in gymnastics
  12. season — in sport
  13. track — to keep track
  14. vault — an arched ceiling
  15. bear — to put up with
  16. root — of a plant
  17. vault — a safe
  18. scale — size or range
  19. lie — to recline
  20. bear — the animal
  21. bulb — for light
  22. bear — the animal
  23. bulb — for light
  24. season — of the year

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