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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  3. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  4. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  5. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  6. Have you met the new head ________________?
  7. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  8. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  11. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  14. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  17. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  18. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. chip — to eat
  3. wound — past of 'wind'
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. wound — an injury
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. stem — of a plant
  8. stem — to come from
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. stem — a stem cell
  11. bear — the animal
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. bear — to put up with
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. mug — a cup
  16. coach — pulled by horses
  17. chip — for betting
  18. wound — an injury
  19. mark — a grade
  20. mark — a trace
  21. chip — in a computer
  22. mug — to rob
  23. bear — the animal
  24. mug — a face

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