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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. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  6. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  10. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  13. There's no middle ________________.
  14. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  15. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  16. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  17. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  23. What do you think of the new ________________?
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. can — to be able to
  3. board — to get on
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. wax — in the ear
  6. cue — a hint
  7. can — a tin
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. cue — for pool
  10. board — a committee
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. wax — to grow
  13. ground — a position
  14. cue — a signal
  15. wax — for sculpting
  16. lash — an eyelash
  17. board — a flat piece
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. ground — the earth
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. ground — crushed
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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