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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 120 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. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  3. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  4. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  5. That must've been a ________________.
  6. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  7. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  10. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  11. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  12. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  13. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  14. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. Have you found your soul ________________?
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. bear — to put up with
  3. charge — electricity
  4. rush — to hurry
  5. rush — a thrill
  6. wave — a sudden rise
  7. bear — the animal
  8. rush — hurry
  9. wave — with your hand
  10. charge — in control
  11. dip — a sauce
  12. dip — to dunk
  13. bear — the animal
  14. current — electric
  15. rock — a stone
  16. wave — of the sea
  17. current — of water
  18. mate — a partner
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. charge — a price
  21. current — happening now
  22. mate — a friend
  23. mate — to breed
  24. rock — music

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