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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. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  4. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  5. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  6. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  7. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  12. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  13. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  14. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  19. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  20. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  21. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. wake — before a funeral
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. wake — a trail
  5. dip — a sauce
  6. jam — to spread on bread
  7. bank — for money
  8. bank — of a river
  9. wake — to stop sleeping
  10. cue — a hint
  11. cue — for pool
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. bank — for money
  14. jam — in traffic
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. bass — the fish
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. dip — to dunk
  19. bass — the instrument
  20. bass — low music
  21. dip — to sink
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. jam — a tight spot
  24. cue — a signal

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