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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. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  2. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. We're almost out of ________________.
  5. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  6. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  7. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  8. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  19. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  20. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  21. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  22. You don't need to ________________ round.
  23. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  24. There's no middle ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. present — the time now
  2. rush — hurry
  3. suit — to fit
  4. pop — soda
  5. stick — to attach or keep to
  6. perch — for a bird
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. ground — the earth
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. present — a gift
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. ground — crushed
  15. suit — in cards
  16. fan — to cool the air
  17. suit — clothes
  18. perch — the fish
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. rush — to hurry
  21. pop — music
  22. pop — to visit
  23. present — there
  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