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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 120 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. When are we going to ________________?
  2. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  4. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  5. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. I can't ________________ this cold.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  10. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  11. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  14. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  15. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  16. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  21. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  22. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  23. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  24. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.

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

Answer key

  1. land — to come down
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. dip — to sink
  4. wake — to stop sleeping
  5. dip — a sauce
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. stand — to bear
  8. cue — for pool
  9. bass — low music
  10. mouse — for a computer
  11. land — ground
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. cue — a signal
  14. wake — before a funeral
  15. cue — a hint
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. land — a country
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. bass — the instrument
  21. dip — to dunk
  22. bass — the fish
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. wake — a trail

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