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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 116 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 am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  2. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  13. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  16. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  17. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  18. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  19. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — a sudden rise
  2. prune — the fruit
  3. can — to be able to
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. can — a tin
  6. current — of water
  7. current — happening now
  8. bear — the animal
  9. rock — music
  10. can — a tin
  11. pass — a permit
  12. prune — to trim
  13. bear — to put up with
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. prune — to trim
  16. rock — a stone
  17. bear — the animal
  18. wave — with your hand
  19. wave — of the sea
  20. mug — to rob
  21. mug — a cup
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. mug — a face
  24. current — electric

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