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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: mate · chip · wake · root · key · coach · board · mark

  1. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  3. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  4. Have you found your soul ________________?
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  7. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  8. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  9. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  10. This piece is in a major ________________.
  11. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  14. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  17. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  24. Have you met the new head ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. key — the most important part
  3. board — to get on
  4. mate — a partner
  5. root — the cause
  6. chip — for betting
  7. chip — to eat
  8. coach — pulled by horses
  9. wake — a trail
  10. key — in music
  11. wake — to stop sleeping
  12. key — for a lock
  13. board — a flat piece
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. board — a committee
  17. mate — to breed
  18. root — of a word
  19. mate — a friend
  20. mark — a trace
  21. chip — in a computer
  22. mark — a grade
  23. wake — before a funeral
  24. coach — a trainer

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