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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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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 hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  7. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  8. How do you ________________ your surname?
  9. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  10. That must've been a ________________.
  11. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. Don't do anything ________________.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. can — to be able to
  3. rock — a stone
  4. can — a tin
  5. can — a tin
  6. rock — music
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. spell — letters
  9. spell — a short time
  10. rush — a thrill
  11. rash — on the skin
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. spell — magic
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. mark — a grade
  16. rush — to hurry
  17. rush — hurry
  18. rash — hasty
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. racket — a loud noise
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. rash — a series
  23. pass — a permit
  24. racket — for tennis

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