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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. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  2. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  6. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  7. My father caught me by the ________________.
  8. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  9. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  10. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  11. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  12. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. The King held a masked ________________.
  18. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  24. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.

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

Answer key

  1. cap — a hat
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. can — to be able to
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. ball — a round shape
  6. bear — the animal
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. arm — part of the body
  9. board — a committee
  10. bear — the animal
  11. board — to get on
  12. cap — of ice
  13. can — a tin
  14. suit — clothes
  15. cap — a lid
  16. suit — in cards
  17. ball — a dance
  18. jam — a tight spot
  19. suit — to fit
  20. bear — to put up with
  21. can — a tin
  22. ball — a great time
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  24. arm — a part of something

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