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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 116 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: squash · track · current · ball · can · pitcher · trunk · root

  1. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  2. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  7. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  8. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  9. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  10. He is an ace ________________.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  13. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  14. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  15. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  16. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  17. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  18. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  19. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  20. The King held a masked ________________.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  23. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a word
  2. pitcher — a jug
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. can — to be able to
  5. current — happening now
  6. trunk — of a car
  7. trunk — of a tree
  8. track — a song
  9. root — of a plant
  10. pitcher — in baseball
  11. can — a tin
  12. root — the cause
  13. squash — to crush
  14. squash — the sport
  15. ball — a great time
  16. squash — the vegetable
  17. track — a path
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. current — of water
  20. ball — a dance
  21. can — a tin
  22. trunk — of an elephant
  23. track — to keep track
  24. current — electric

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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