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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  3. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  4. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  7. I can't ________________ this cold.
  8. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  9. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  16. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  17. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  20. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  21. Have you found your soul ________________?
  22. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  23. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  24. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. prune — to trim
  3. prune — the fruit
  4. temple — side of the head
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. bay — a part of the sea
  7. stand — to bear
  8. pound — for dogs
  9. pound — to hit hard
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. charge — a price
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. charge — in control
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. prune — to trim
  16. mate — to breed
  17. dip — to dunk
  18. charge — electricity
  19. stand — for spectators
  20. dip — to sink
  21. mate — a partner
  22. dip — a sauce
  23. pound — a weight
  24. mate — a friend

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