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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. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. Have you found your soul ________________?
  5. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  6. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  7. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  8. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  9. It's one o'clock ________________.
  10. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  11. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  12. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  13. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  17. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  23. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  24. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. rock — a stone
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. mate — a partner
  5. sharp — with an edge
  6. bear — the animal
  7. sharp — clever
  8. lash — an eyelash
  9. sharp — exactly
  10. bear — to put up with
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. jam — in traffic
  13. lash — a whip stroke
  14. mark — a grade
  15. rock — music
  16. stick — to attach or keep to
  17. mate — to breed
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. mark — a trace
  22. jam — a tight spot
  23. mate — a friend
  24. lash — to lash out

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