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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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468
Word bank
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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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  5. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  6. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  7. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  8. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  11. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  12. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  13. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  14. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  20. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  21. The ________________ went through the wall.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. fork — a garden tool
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. fork — in a road
  7. rush — hurry
  8. kid — to tease
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. lash — a whip stroke
  11. fork — to eat with
  12. chair — to sit on
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. lash — an eyelash
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. chair — a leader
  20. kid — child
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. chair — a professorship
  24. nail — on a finger

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