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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. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  2. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  3. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  4. The tickets are free of ________________.
  5. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  6. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  7. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  8. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  12. When are we going to ________________?
  13. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  14. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  15. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  16. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  17. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  18. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  19. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. There's no middle ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — the earth
  2. hide — animal skin
  3. cue — a signal
  4. charge — a price
  5. land — ground
  6. charge — electricity
  7. toast — the most admired
  8. racket — for tennis
  9. mug — to rob
  10. mug — a cup
  11. ground — crushed
  12. land — to come down
  13. toast — a drink to someone
  14. mug — a face
  15. racket — a loud noise
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. cue — for pool
  18. land — a country
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. toast — bread
  21. hide — to keep secret
  22. cue — a hint
  23. charge — in control
  24. ground — a position

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