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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. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  2. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  5. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  8. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  9. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  10. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  13. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. The ________________ went through the wall.
  16. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  17. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  18. How do you ________________ your surname?
  19. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. hide — animal skin
  2. firm — decided
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. toast — bread
  5. wave — with your hand
  6. suit — to fit
  7. toast — a drink to someone
  8. wave — a sudden rise
  9. spell — a short time
  10. firm — a company
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. wave — of the sea
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. nail — on a finger
  18. spell — letters
  19. firm — steady
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. hide — to keep secret
  22. suit — clothes
  23. spell — magic
  24. suit — in cards

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