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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. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  3. That was ________________ to happen.
  4. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  7. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  8. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  9. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  10. I can't ________________ this cold.
  11. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  12. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  13. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  14. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  21. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  22. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  23. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. drill — army training
  3. bound — certain
  4. bowl — a football final
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. drill — a practice
  7. drill — the tool
  8. bound — obliged
  9. dip — to dunk
  10. stand — to bear
  11. stand — for spectators
  12. trunk — of a tree
  13. bound — tied together
  14. bowl — a dish
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. rush — hurry
  17. fine — high quality
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. bowl — to roll
  21. trunk — of an elephant
  22. dip — a sauce
  23. trunk — of a car
  24. fine — all right

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