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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 like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  2. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  3. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  4. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  8. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. This piece is in a major ________________.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  22. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to dunk
  2. jam — in traffic
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. board — to get on
  5. suit — in cards
  6. key — the most important part
  7. mark — to pay attention
  8. board — a flat piece
  9. suit — to fit
  10. key — in music
  11. mark — a grade
  12. dip — a sauce
  13. board — a committee
  14. mark — a trace
  15. bulb — for light
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. key — for a lock
  19. stick — to attach or keep to
  20. suit — clothes
  21. jam — to spread on bread
  22. dip — to sink
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. bulb — for light

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