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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. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. The tickets are free of ________________.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. You don't need to ________________ round.
  5. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  6. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  7. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  8. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  9. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  10. That must've been a ________________.
  11. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. We're almost out of ________________.
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — to handle
  2. charge — a price
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. pop — to visit
  5. wound — an injury
  6. bay — a part of the sea
  7. wound — an injury
  8. deal — an agreement
  9. rush — hurry
  10. rush — a thrill
  11. wound — past of 'wind'
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. toast — bread
  14. pop — soda
  15. mark — a grade
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. pop — music
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. charge — electricity
  21. deal — a big deal
  22. mark — a trace
  23. toast — the most admired
  24. charge — in control

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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