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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. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  2. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  5. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  8. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  9. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  10. I can't ________________ this cold.
  11. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  16. Have you found your soul ________________?
  17. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  20. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  23. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  24. The moon will ________________ and wane.

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

Answer key

  1. mate — a friend
  2. snap — to speak sharply
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. mark — a trace
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. bear — the animal
  9. wax — for sculpting
  10. stand — to bear
  11. wax — in the ear
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. mark — a grade
  15. mate — to breed
  16. mate — a partner
  17. snap — to click
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. bear — the animal
  20. stand — for spectators
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. snap — to snap out of it
  23. bear — to put up with
  24. wax — to grow

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