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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.

Make a worksheet

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
468
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: cold · root · ground · mug · mouse · fine · safe · ball

  1. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  2. The King held a masked ________________.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. Its rival in the ________________ War, the Soviet Union, exploited this at the time.
  6. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  7. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. The water is too ________________.
  11. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  12. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  13. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  14. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  18. There's no middle ________________.
  19. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  20. I had a bad ________________ and was in bed for a week.
  21. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. root — the cause
  2. ball — a dance
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. cold — the Cold War
  6. fine — high quality
  7. root — of a plant
  8. mug — a cup
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. cold — not warm
  11. ground — the earth
  12. ground — crushed
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. ball — a great time
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. mug — to rob
  17. root — of a word
  18. ground — a position
  19. fine — all right
  20. cold — an illness
  21. ball — a round shape
  22. mug — a face
  23. fine — a penalty
  24. safe — out of danger

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