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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. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  5. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  6. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  7. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  11. She's very handy with a ________________.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  15. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. He works in a ________________ mill.
  19. Have you met the new head ________________?
  20. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  21. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  22. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. coach — pulled by horses
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. mug — to rob
  4. dip — to sink
  5. patient — a sick person
  6. toast — the most admired
  7. dip — to dunk
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. toast — a drink to someone
  11. saw — the tool
  12. suit — in cards
  13. mug — a face
  14. patient — calm and waiting
  15. patient — a sick person
  16. suit — clothes
  17. pass — a permit
  18. saw — the tool
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. toast — bread
  22. dip — a sauce
  23. suit — to fit
  24. mug — a cup

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