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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 need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  6. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  7. My mare is ________________ in color.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  12. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. Don't do anything ________________.
  17. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — to handle
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. rash — a series
  4. suit — to fit
  5. toast — bread
  6. rock — music
  7. bay — a horse colour
  8. rock — a stone
  9. mug — a face
  10. suit — clothes
  11. bay — a part of the sea
  12. bay — to keep at bay
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. deal — an agreement
  15. mark — a grade
  16. rash — hasty
  17. mark — a trace
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. rash — on the skin
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. suit — in cards
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. mug — to rob
  24. mug — a cup

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