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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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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: lash · fine · root · temple · cap · hide · cue · hand

  1. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  3. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  6. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  7. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  8. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  9. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  10. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  11. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  12. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  13. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  14. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  15. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  16. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  17. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  18. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. cue — for pool
  3. hand — part of the body
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. lash — to lash out
  6. root — of a plant
  7. cap — of ice
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. hand — in cards
  10. root — of a word
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. lash — an eyelash
  13. cap — a hat
  14. fine — a penalty
  15. hide — animal skin
  16. cue — a hint
  17. hand — help
  18. cap — a lid
  19. fine — high quality
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. fine — all right
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. temple — side of the head
  24. cue — a signal

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