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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. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  5. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  6. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  7. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  8. Have you found your soul ________________?
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  11. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  14. The ________________ market has crashed.
  15. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  18. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  19. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  20. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  21. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  22. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  23. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  24. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?

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

Answer key

  1. deal — to handle
  2. suit — clothes
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. deal — an agreement
  6. stock — a soup base
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. mate — a partner
  9. suit — in cards
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. mouse — for a computer
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. fine — high quality
  14. stock — shares
  15. mate — to breed
  16. suit — to fit
  17. fine — all right
  18. bore — gave birth
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. bore — to tire
  21. deal — a big deal
  22. stock — goods
  23. bore — to drill
  24. mate — a friend

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