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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. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  4. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  5. That was a fun ________________.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  11. We're on a ________________ here.
  12. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  13. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  19. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  20. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  24. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. mouse — for a computer
  4. mark — to pay attention
  5. game — a match
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. can — to be able to
  9. mark — a trace
  10. game — wild animals
  11. roll — on a roll
  12. firm — decided
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. can — a tin
  15. roll — a cake
  16. rush — hurry
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. firm — a company
  19. roll — a list
  20. firm — steady
  21. can — a tin
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. game — a kind of play

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