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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. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  7. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  8. Don't do anything ________________.
  9. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  10. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. She's very handy with a ________________.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. He works in a ________________ mill.
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. We were using a ________________ as a seat.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. deal — to handle
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. cue — a hint
  6. wake — a trail
  7. rash — a series
  8. rash — hasty
  9. wake — before a funeral
  10. deal — an agreement
  11. cue — a signal
  12. wake — to stop sleeping
  13. can — a tin
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. saw — the tool
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. saw — the tool
  18. cue — for pool
  19. cabinet — a cupboard
  20. rock — music
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. can — to be able to
  23. can — a tin
  24. rock — a 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