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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. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  3. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  4. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  10. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  13. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  20. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. dip — to dunk
  4. cap — a hat
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. mug — a cup
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. mark — a trace
  9. dip — to sink
  10. mark — to pay attention
  11. pass — a permit
  12. jam — a tight spot
  13. dip — a sauce
  14. mug — to rob
  15. foot — the bottom
  16. foot — a measure
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. foot — part of the body
  20. cap — of ice
  21. mark — a grade
  22. cap — a lid
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  24. pass — to succeed

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