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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: prune · charge · mug · craft · hide · root · stock · rush

  1. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  7. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  8. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  9. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  10. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  11. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  12. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  13. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  16. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  17. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  18. The ________________ market has crashed.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. hide — to keep secret
  3. mug — to rob
  4. craft — a handicraft
  5. mug — a cup
  6. stock — a soup base
  7. prune — to trim
  8. craft — a skill
  9. root — of a plant
  10. hide — animal skin
  11. stock — goods
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. craft — boats
  14. charge — electricity
  15. charge — in control
  16. root — of a word
  17. prune — to trim
  18. stock — shares
  19. rush — hurry
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. prune — the fruit
  22. charge — a price
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. mug — a face

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