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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. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  5. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  10. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  24. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. hide — animal skin
  3. current — of water
  4. jam — to spread on bread
  5. mark — to pay attention
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. mug — a cup
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. lie — to recline
  10. rock — music
  11. mark — a grade
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. mug — to rob
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. bulb — for light
  16. current — happening now
  17. rock — a stone
  18. bulb — for light
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. mug — a face
  23. current — electric
  24. hide — to keep secret

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