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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. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  4. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  10. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  11. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  20. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  23. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  24. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — to spread on bread
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. wave — of the sea
  4. mark — a trace
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. suit — to fit
  8. bulb — for light
  9. foot — a measure
  10. wave — a sudden rise
  11. rest — what's left
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. suit — clothes
  14. mark — a grade
  15. foot — the bottom
  16. bulb — for light
  17. suit — in cards
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. press — a publisher
  20. wave — with your hand
  21. press — to push
  22. rest — what's left
  23. rest — a break
  24. press — newspapers

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