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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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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: key · ground · jam · root · rock · stand · ruler · bore

  1. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  3. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. There's no middle ________________.
  19. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  20. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  21. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  22. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  23. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  24. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. root — of a word
  3. bore — to tire
  4. key — in music
  5. root — the cause
  6. rock — music
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. stand — to bear
  12. bore — to drill
  13. rock — a stone
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. key — the most important part
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. key — for a lock
  18. ground — a position
  19. jam — a tight spot
  20. stand — on your feet
  21. ground — the earth
  22. bore — gave birth
  23. ground — crushed
  24. stand — for spectators

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