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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. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. Have you met the new head ________________?
  3. Did you ________________ the meat?
  4. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  5. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  22. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  23. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  24. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. season — to add flavour
  4. mark — a trace
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. mug — a face
  8. mug — a cup
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. pit — a fruit stone
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. wax — to grow
  13. mug — to rob
  14. season — of the year
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. pit — a hole
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. season — in sport
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. wax — in the ear
  22. pit — in a race
  23. wax — for sculpting
  24. coach — a trainer

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