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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.

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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: suit · root · pit · track · lean · bulb · saw · can

  1. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  13. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  14. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  17. She's very handy with a ________________.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. The light ________________ burned out.
  20. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  23. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  24. He keeps ________________ of his days.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. root — the cause
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. can — a tin
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. can — a tin
  7. pit — a hole
  8. suit — in cards
  9. suit — clothes
  10. root — of a plant
  11. bulb — for light
  12. track — a path
  13. lean — to bend
  14. lean — to rest against
  15. can — to be able to
  16. lean — thin
  17. saw — the tool
  18. root — of a word
  19. bulb — for light
  20. track — a song
  21. suit — to fit
  22. pit — in a race
  23. pit — a fruit stone
  24. track — to keep track

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