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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 116 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. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  6. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  7. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  8. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  9. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  10. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  11. I'll be taking the ________________.
  12. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  13. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  14. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  15. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  16. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. It's one o'clock ________________.
  20. Don't do anything ________________.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  23. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  24. He's quite ________________, isn't he?

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. dip — to sink
  3. mark — a trace
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. dip — a sauce
  6. bowl — to roll
  7. bowl — a dish
  8. sharp — with an edge
  9. board — to get on
  10. board — a flat piece
  11. tube — the underground
  12. dip — to dunk
  13. deal — to handle
  14. tube — a container
  15. bowl — a football final
  16. tube — in a tire
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. sharp — exactly
  20. rash — hasty
  21. mark — a grade
  22. deal — a big deal
  23. board — a committee
  24. sharp — clever

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