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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 would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  2. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  3. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  4. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  5. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  6. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  9. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  10. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  11. Have you met the new head ________________?
  12. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  13. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  14. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  18. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  19. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  20. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  21. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  24. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.

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

Answer key

  1. toast — a drink to someone
  2. race — the arms race
  3. wax — for sculpting
  4. stick — to attach or keep to
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. toast — the most admired
  9. wax — to grow
  10. wax — in the ear
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. race — humankind
  13. mouse — for a computer
  14. jam — in traffic
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. vault — in gymnastics
  18. vault — an arched ceiling
  19. coach — pulled by horses
  20. vault — a safe
  21. jam — to spread on bread
  22. toast — bread
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. race — a contest

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