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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 120 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. You don't need to ________________ round.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  5. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. My father caught me by the ________________.
  8. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  13. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  14. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  15. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  20. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. We're almost out of ________________.
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pop — to visit
  2. suit — to fit
  3. suit — clothes
  4. pop — music
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. can — a tin
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. bank — for money
  9. key — in music
  10. can — a tin
  11. key — for a lock
  12. rock — a stone
  13. bank — of a river
  14. arm — a part of something
  15. bank — for money
  16. can — to be able to
  17. rock — music
  18. key — the most important part
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. mouse — for a computer
  21. suit — in cards
  22. pop — soda
  23. rock — to move gently
  24. mouse — the animal

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