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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: lie · hand · suit · root · mine · lash · perch · bark

  1. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  4. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  7. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  8. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  11. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  12. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  13. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  22. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. root — the cause
  3. mine — an explosive
  4. perch — the fish
  5. suit — to fit
  6. hand — in cards
  7. hand — help
  8. perch — for a bird
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. root — of a word
  11. bark — to shout
  12. lash — to lash out
  13. bark — of a tree
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. perch — for a bird
  17. lie — to recline
  18. suit — in cards
  19. mine — for digging
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. hand — part of the body
  22. bark — a dog's sound
  23. suit — clothes
  24. mine — belonging to me

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