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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. That must've been a ________________.
  2. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  3. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  4. We're on a ________________ here.
  5. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  6. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  7. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  10. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  11. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  12. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  13. We're almost out of ________________.
  14. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  15. You don't need to ________________ round.
  16. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  17. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  18. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  19. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  20. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  21. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  22. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rush — a thrill
  2. toast — a drink to someone
  3. club — for dancing
  4. roll — on a roll
  5. roll — a list
  6. root — of a plant
  7. toast — bread
  8. root — the cause
  9. rush — hurry
  10. mouse — for a computer
  11. club — a group
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. pop — soda
  14. club — for golf
  15. pop — to visit
  16. wave — with your hand
  17. pop — music
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. wave — a sudden rise
  20. toast — the most admired
  21. root — of a word
  22. wave — of the sea
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. roll — a cake

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