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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: root · mug · hide · staff · deal · racket · bank · jam

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  3. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  4. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  5. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  6. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  9. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  13. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  14. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  15. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  16. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  17. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  24. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. jam — a tight spot
  3. racket — a loud noise
  4. staff — employees
  5. staff — employees
  6. deal — an agreement
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. racket — for tennis
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. mug — a cup
  11. mug — to rob
  12. root — of a plant
  13. staff — a stick
  14. hide — animal skin
  15. root — the cause
  16. racket — for tennis
  17. bank — of a river
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. bank — for money
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. root — of a word
  22. mug — a face
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. deal — to handle

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