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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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. That must've been a ________________.
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  12. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. False peace will not ________________.
  15. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  21. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. rush — a thrill
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. last — final
  5. charge — electricity
  6. charge — in control
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. charge — a price
  9. last — finally
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. bay — a part of the sea
  12. bay — to keep at bay
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. last — to go on
  15. toast — bread
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. ball — a round shape
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. ball — a dance
  20. ball — a great time
  21. jam — in traffic
  22. stand — to bear
  23. rush — hurry
  24. toast — a drink to someone

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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