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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. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  2. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  3. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  6. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. The King held a masked ________________.
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — to move gently
  2. wave — with your hand
  3. wave — a sudden rise
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. ball — a round shape
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. charge — electricity
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. mouse — for a computer
  10. cue — a hint
  11. ball — a dance
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. rock — music
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. ball — a great time
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. rock — a stone
  18. wave — of the sea
  19. cue — a signal
  20. cue — for pool
  21. lie — to recline
  22. charge — a price
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. charge — in control

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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