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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. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  2. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  5. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  16. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  22. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  23. The King held a masked ________________.
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a cup
  2. wound — an injury
  3. can — a tin
  4. wound — an injury
  5. jam — a tight spot
  6. current — of water
  7. mug — a face
  8. mouse — for a computer
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. mug — to rob
  11. bore — gave birth
  12. can — to be able to
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. can — a tin
  15. wound — past of 'wind'
  16. bore — to drill
  17. current — happening now
  18. current — electric
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. bore — to tire
  22. ball — a round shape
  23. ball — a dance
  24. ball — a great time

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