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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 would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  12. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  15. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  16. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  23. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  24. She got the top ________________ in the exam.

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

Answer key

  1. toast — a drink to someone
  2. mark — a trace
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. jam — to spread on bread
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. pitch — a sports field
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. nail — on a finger
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. pitch — a sales talk
  15. bear — the animal
  16. leaves — of a tree
  17. toast — bread
  18. bear — the animal
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. pitch — completely
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. toast — the most admired
  23. bear — to put up with
  24. mark — a grade

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