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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 like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  6. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  7. I'll be taking the ________________.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  21. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  22. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  23. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  24. I got dealt a bad ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. hand — part of the body
  6. content — the amount
  7. tube — the underground
  8. mug — a cup
  9. racket — for tennis
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. tube — a container
  13. mug — a face
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. content — videos and posts
  16. mug — to rob
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. racket — a loud noise
  21. tube — in a tire
  22. content — happy
  23. hand — help
  24. hand — in cards

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