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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. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  6. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  7. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  10. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  13. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  21. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  22. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — a penalty
  2. lash — to lash out
  3. mug — a cup
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. board — a committee
  6. lean — to rest against
  7. track — to keep track
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. prune — to trim
  10. track — a path
  11. mug — a face
  12. lean — to bend
  13. prune — the fruit
  14. mug — to rob
  15. prune — to trim
  16. fine — all right
  17. fine — high quality
  18. track — a song
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. board — a flat piece
  21. lean — thin
  22. lash — an eyelash
  23. board — to get on
  24. mouse — the animal

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