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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. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  2. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  3. It's one o'clock ________________.
  4. The King held a masked ________________.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  7. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  11. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  12. We're almost out of ________________.
  13. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  14. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. You don't need to ________________ round.
  20. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  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. sharp — with an edge
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. sharp — exactly
  4. ball — a dance
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. ball — a great time
  7. ball — a round shape
  8. mug — a cup
  9. suit — to fit
  10. sharp — clever
  11. jam — in traffic
  12. pop — soda
  13. stand — for spectators
  14. stand — on your feet
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. suit — in cards
  17. stand — to bear
  18. mug — to rob
  19. pop — to visit
  20. jam — a tight spot
  21. suit — clothes
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. pop — music
  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