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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. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  4. The King held a masked ________________.
  5. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  6. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  9. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  10. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  11. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  12. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  13. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  16. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  17. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  22. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  23. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — a sudden rise
  2. key — in music
  3. wave — with your hand
  4. ball — a dance
  5. ball — a round shape
  6. wax — for sculpting
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. chip — in a computer
  9. ball — a great time
  10. wave — of the sea
  11. mine — belonging to me
  12. chip — to eat
  13. mine — for digging
  14. rock — a stone
  15. bear — to put up with
  16. bear — the animal
  17. wax — to grow
  18. rock — music
  19. mine — an explosive
  20. key — for a lock
  21. chip — for betting
  22. bear — the animal
  23. wax — in the ear
  24. key — the most important part

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