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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: season · spring · key · root · charge · net · plane · bay

  1. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. My mare is ________________ in color.
  10. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  11. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. Did you ________________ the meat?
  18. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  19. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  20. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  21. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  22. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  23. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  24. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. key — in music
  3. plane — a tool
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. season — in sport
  6. key — the most important part
  7. spring — the season
  8. charge — a price
  9. bay — a horse colour
  10. net — in sport
  11. root — of a plant
  12. charge — electricity
  13. season — of the year
  14. key — for a lock
  15. charge — in control
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. season — to add flavour
  18. net — for catching
  19. bay — to keep at bay
  20. bay — a part of the sea
  21. spring — a coil
  22. net — after costs
  23. root — of a word
  24. spring — of water

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