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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. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  2. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  8. He was locked up in a ________________.
  9. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  10. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  13. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  14. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  15. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  20. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  21. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  22. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. There's no middle ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — the earth
  2. bear — to put up with
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. ground — crushed
  6. suit — to fit
  7. chip — in a computer
  8. cell — in a prison
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. bear — the animal
  11. suit — clothes
  12. chip — for betting
  13. chip — to eat
  14. hide — to keep secret
  15. bear — the animal
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. cell — in biology
  18. suit — in cards
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. mouse — for a computer
  21. cell — a phone
  22. hide — animal skin
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. ground — a position

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