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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. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  5. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  6. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  9. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  10. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  11. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  12. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. She's very handy with a ________________.
  18. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  19. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  20. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. He works in a ________________ mill.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. fan — a supporter
  3. mark — a trace
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. bowl — a football final
  6. cabinet — a cupboard
  7. mark — a grade
  8. lash — an eyelash
  9. saw — past of 'see'
  10. lash — a whip stroke
  11. staff — employees
  12. staff — a stick
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. rock — music
  15. fan — to cool the air
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. saw — the tool
  18. staff — employees
  19. lash — to lash out
  20. bowl — to roll
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. saw — the tool

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