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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 116 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: cue · lash · mug · lie · board · bark · root · racket

  1. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  4. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  5. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  6. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  7. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  10. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  11. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  12. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  13. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  16. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  17. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  18. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  23. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  24. I'll take my ________________ from you.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. root — of a plant
  3. lie — to recline
  4. racket — a loud noise
  5. board — a flat piece
  6. mug — a cup
  7. lash — a whip stroke
  8. mug — to rob
  9. bark — a dog's sound
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. bark — of a tree
  12. lash — an eyelash
  13. cue — for pool
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. root — the cause
  16. racket — for tennis
  17. board — to get on
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. cue — a signal
  20. mug — a face
  21. board — a committee
  22. root — of a word
  23. bark — to shout
  24. cue — a hint

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