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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: roll · bowl · temple · last · root · land · charge · dip

  1. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. When was this ________________ built?
  7. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  8. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  9. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. False peace will not ________________.
  12. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  13. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  14. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  15. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  16. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  17. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  18. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  19. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  20. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  21. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  22. When are we going to ________________?
  23. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  24. We're on a ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. bowl — to roll
  4. charge — in control
  5. root — of a plant
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. dip — to dunk
  8. roll — a list
  9. bowl — a football final
  10. charge — a price
  11. last — to go on
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. root — of a word
  14. dip — to sink
  15. roll — a cake
  16. land — a country
  17. last — finally
  18. bowl — a dish
  19. charge — electricity
  20. dip — a sauce
  21. land — ground
  22. land — to come down
  23. last — final
  24. roll — on a roll

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