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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 is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  2. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. There's no middle ________________.
  7. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  8. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  9. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  20. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. What do you think of the new ________________?
  24. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. wave — a sudden rise
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. mug — to rob
  5. mug — a cup
  6. ground — a position
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. ground — crushed
  9. wave — with your hand
  10. key — the most important part
  11. ground — the earth
  12. key — for a lock
  13. can — to be able to
  14. stick — to attach or keep to
  15. mug — a face
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. pit — a hole
  18. can — a tin
  19. pit — in a race
  20. wave — of the sea
  21. key — in music
  22. can — a tin
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. pit — a fruit stone

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