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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 116 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. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  4. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. He works in a ________________ mill.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  12. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  13. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  14. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  15. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. track — a song
  2. mug — a cup
  3. vault — in gymnastics
  4. track — to keep track
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. can — a tin
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. saw — the tool
  9. suit — to fit
  10. suit — in cards
  11. dip — to dunk
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. dip — to sink
  14. vault — a safe
  15. track — a path
  16. can — a tin
  17. vault — an arched ceiling
  18. can — to be able to
  19. mug — to rob
  20. saw — past of 'see'
  21. suit — clothes
  22. dip — a sauce
  23. saw — the tool
  24. mug — a face

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