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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 116 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: root · racket · staff · plane · mouse · net · ball · track

  1. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  4. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  9. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  12. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  15. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  16. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  17. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  18. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  19. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  20. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  21. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  22. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  23. The King held a masked ________________.
  24. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. plane — a tool
  3. root — of a word
  4. net — in sport
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. staff — employees
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. mouse — for a computer
  9. net — for catching
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. ball — a great time
  14. net — after costs
  15. track — a path
  16. racket — a loud noise
  17. track — to keep track
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. track — a song
  20. staff — a stick
  21. staff — employees
  22. root — the cause
  23. ball — a dance
  24. root — of a plant

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