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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
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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: mark · deal · calf · spring · mouse · track · firm · root

  1. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  4. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  5. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  8. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  9. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  10. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  11. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  12. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  13. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  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. deal — to handle
  2. mark — a trace
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. track — to keep track
  5. track — a song
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. root — the cause
  8. firm — a company
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. calf — of the leg
  11. track — a path
  12. spring — of water
  13. root — of a word
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. deal — an agreement
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. spring — the season
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. spring — a coil
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. firm — decided
  22. mark — a grade
  23. firm — steady
  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