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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.

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: tube · mouse · ruler · fork · root · game · can · wax

  1. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. I'll be taking the ________________.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  5. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  6. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  9. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  10. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  11. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  12. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  13. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  16. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  17. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  18. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  19. That was a fun ________________.
  20. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. tube — the underground
  3. can — a tin
  4. fork — in a road
  5. tube — a container
  6. fork — a garden tool
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. fork — to eat with
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. wax — for sculpting
  12. game — wild animals
  13. mouse — for a computer
  14. can — a tin
  15. root — of a plant
  16. wax — in the ear
  17. wax — to grow
  18. tube — in a tire
  19. game — a match
  20. game — a kind of play
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. root — of a word
  24. can — to be able to

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