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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. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  2. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  3. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  6. She's very handy with a ________________.
  7. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  8. He works in a ________________ mill.
  9. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  10. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. There's no middle ________________.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  24. The tickets are free of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. craft — a handicraft
  3. craft — a skill
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. ground — the earth
  6. saw — the tool
  7. jam — a tight spot
  8. saw — the tool
  9. charge — electricity
  10. ground — crushed
  11. suit — to fit
  12. saw — past of 'see'
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. bear — to put up with
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. bear — the animal
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. suit — in cards
  20. ground — a position
  21. suit — clothes
  22. charge — in control
  23. craft — boats
  24. charge — a price

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