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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: root · snap · spring · current · ruler · court · calf · mug

  1. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  4. The ball is in your ________________.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  7. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  13. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  16. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  19. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  20. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  21. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  22. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  23. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. current — of water
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. spring — the season
  4. court — for sport
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. snap — to speak sharply
  7. root — of a word
  8. mug — to rob
  9. mug — a cup
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. court — of a king
  13. snap — to snap out of it
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. spring — a coil
  16. current — electric
  17. current — happening now
  18. spring — of water
  19. court — of law
  20. root — the cause
  21. calf — of the leg
  22. snap — to click
  23. root — of a plant
  24. mug — a face

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