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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 ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  5. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  9. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. Have you found your soul ________________?
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  15. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  16. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. mark — a grade
  3. mark — a trace
  4. staff — employees
  5. bowl — to roll
  6. can — a tin
  7. deal — to handle
  8. squash — to crush
  9. squash — the sport
  10. can — a tin
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. mate — a partner
  13. can — to be able to
  14. bowl — a football final
  15. staff — a stick
  16. bowl — a dish
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. mate — to breed
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. squash — the vegetable
  22. mate — a friend
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. staff — employees

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