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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 bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  2. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  6. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  7. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  16. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  17. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  20. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  21. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  24. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — in traffic
  2. bore — to tire
  3. mug — a cup
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. squash — the sport
  6. fine — a penalty
  7. bore — to drill
  8. mug — a face
  9. fine — high quality
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. mug — to rob
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. hide — animal skin
  17. stand — on your feet
  18. stand — to bear
  19. squash — the vegetable
  20. stand — for spectators
  21. squash — to crush
  22. fine — all right
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  24. bore — gave birth

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