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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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  6. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  7. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  13. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  14. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  15. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  18. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  19. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  20. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  21. How do you ________________ your surname?
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  24. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. deal — to handle
  3. deal — a big deal
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. spell — a short time
  6. spell — magic
  7. deal — an agreement
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. bank — of a river
  11. bank — for money
  12. march — the month
  13. rush — hurry
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. jam — in traffic
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. bowl — to roll
  18. bank — for money
  19. bowl — a football final
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. spell — letters
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. march — the month
  24. march — music

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