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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.

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: can · foot · object · trunk · shower · root · deal · firm

  1. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  7. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  10. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  11. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  12. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  13. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  14. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  15. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  16. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  19. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  20. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  21. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  22. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. shower — a meteor shower
  2. object — a thing
  3. deal — a big deal
  4. can — to be able to
  5. root — the cause
  6. shower — rain
  7. trunk — of a car
  8. can — a tin
  9. foot — a measure
  10. root — of a word
  11. firm — decided
  12. shower — to wash
  13. deal — an agreement
  14. trunk — of an elephant
  15. firm — steady
  16. root — of a plant
  17. can — a tin
  18. foot — the bottom
  19. trunk — of a tree
  20. object — an aim
  21. object — to protest
  22. foot — part of the body
  23. deal — to handle
  24. firm — a company

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