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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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Word bank
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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 train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  2. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  3. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  4. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. She's very handy with a ________________.
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  9. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  10. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  11. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  12. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  13. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  14. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  15. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  16. David sat on the ________________.
  17. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  18. My mare is ________________ in color.
  19. I can't ________________ this cold.
  20. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  21. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  24. He works in a ________________ mill.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — on your feet
  2. bay — a part of the sea
  3. stand — for spectators
  4. bay — to keep at bay
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. saw — the tool
  7. deal — to handle
  8. shower — to wash
  9. deal — a big deal
  10. fork — in a road
  11. swing — in golf
  12. swing — music
  13. fork — to eat with
  14. bear — to put up with
  15. shower — a meteor shower
  16. swing — to play on
  17. fork — a garden tool
  18. bay — a horse colour
  19. stand — to bear
  20. bear — the animal
  21. shower — rain
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. bear — the animal
  24. saw — the tool

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