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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. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  2. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  3. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  7. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  10. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  11. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  12. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  13. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  14. David sat on the ________________.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  17. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  20. Have you met the new head ________________?
  21. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  22. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. swing — in golf
  2. wind — moving air
  3. swing — music
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. foot — part of the body
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. foot — the bottom
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. coach — pulled by horses
  12. rock — a stone
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. swing — to play on
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. wind — moving air
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. mark — a trace
  19. wind — to turn a key
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. foot — a measure
  22. racket — a loud noise
  23. mark — a grade
  24. rock — music

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