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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. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  5. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  6. That was ________________ to happen.
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  9. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  10. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  15. David sat on the ________________.
  16. The ________________ market has crashed.
  17. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  20. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. swing — music
  2. bound — tied together
  3. can — a tin
  4. snap — to snap out of it
  5. stock — goods
  6. bound — certain
  7. deal — to handle
  8. swing — in golf
  9. staff — employees
  10. snap — to click
  11. bound — obliged
  12. can — a tin
  13. mug — a cup
  14. snap — to speak sharply
  15. swing — to play on
  16. stock — shares
  17. stock — a soup base
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. staff — a stick
  20. deal — a big deal
  21. mug — a face
  22. can — to be able to
  23. staff — employees
  24. mug — to rob

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