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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 120 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: foot · row · pop · root · pass · current · key · dip

  1. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  2. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  3. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  9. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  10. This piece is in a major ________________.
  11. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  12. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  13. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  14. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  17. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  18. You don't need to ________________ round.
  19. We're almost out of ________________.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. row — a line
  2. root — of a word
  3. row — to paddle
  4. current — electric
  5. root — the cause
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. current — of water
  8. current — happening now
  9. row — a quarrel
  10. key — in music
  11. foot — the bottom
  12. root — of a plant
  13. dip — a sauce
  14. pop — music
  15. key — for a lock
  16. dip — to dunk
  17. foot — part of the body
  18. pop — to visit
  19. pop — soda
  20. pass — a permit
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. dip — to sink
  23. key — the most important part
  24. foot — a measure

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