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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. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  2. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  4. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  5. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  12. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  13. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  14. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  15. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  16. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  19. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to dunk
  2. fine — a penalty
  3. file — a line of people
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. file — a tool
  6. stand — to bear
  7. file — a document
  8. rock — a stone
  9. racket — for tennis
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. dip — to sink
  12. racket — a loud noise
  13. stand — on your feet
  14. dip — a sauce
  15. stand — for spectators
  16. toast — the most admired
  17. toast — bread
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. fine — all right
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. rock — music
  23. fine — high quality
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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