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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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. We're on a ________________ here.
  3. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  4. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  5. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  8. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  11. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  12. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  13. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  14. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  17. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  18. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  19. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  24. David sat on the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. roll — on a roll
  3. squash — the vegetable
  4. deal — to handle
  5. swing — music
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. roll — a cake
  8. squash — to crush
  9. can — to be able to
  10. pit — a fruit stone
  11. bear — the animal
  12. deal — a big deal
  13. squash — the sport
  14. deal — an agreement
  15. can — a tin
  16. swing — in golf
  17. roll — a list
  18. pit — a hole
  19. bear — to put up with
  20. can — a tin
  21. pass — a permit
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. bear — the animal
  24. swing — to play on

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