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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: bark · root · arm · can · drill · squash · fine · ball

  1. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  2. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  5. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  6. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  7. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  10. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  11. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  12. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  13. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  14. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  15. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  18. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  19. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  20. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  21. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  22. The King held a masked ________________.
  23. My father caught me by the ________________.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a word
  2. drill — a practice
  3. can — a tin
  4. drill — army training
  5. drill — the tool
  6. squash — to crush
  7. root — the cause
  8. can — a tin
  9. ball — a great time
  10. root — of a plant
  11. fine — high quality
  12. bark — a dog's sound
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. bark — to shout
  15. squash — the sport
  16. can — to be able to
  17. squash — the vegetable
  18. arm — a part of something
  19. ball — a round shape
  20. fine — a penalty
  21. bark — of a tree
  22. ball — a dance
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. fine — all right

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