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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 information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  3. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  13. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  17. Have you found your soul ________________?
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. It's one o'clock ________________.
  21. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  22. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  23. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  24. He hit the ball with his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. sharp — with an edge
  3. fan — a supporter
  4. can — to be able to
  5. suit — in cards
  6. mug — to rob
  7. sharp — clever
  8. mug — a face
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. file — a line of people
  11. can — a tin
  12. mate — to breed
  13. racket — a loud noise
  14. suit — to fit
  15. suit — clothes
  16. file — a tool
  17. mate — a partner
  18. can — a tin
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. sharp — exactly
  21. mate — a friend
  22. mug — a cup
  23. racket — for tennis
  24. racket — for tennis

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