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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. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  2. Where did you ________________ them?
  3. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  4. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  12. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  15. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  16. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  17. David sat on the ________________.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  20. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  24. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — music
  2. mug — to rob
  3. current — electric
  4. deal — a big deal
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. deal — to handle
  7. mug — a cup
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. current — of water
  10. current — happening now
  11. shower — rain
  12. deal — an agreement
  13. mug — a face
  14. shower — a meteor shower
  15. jam — in traffic
  16. bowl — a football final
  17. swing — to play on
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. shower — to wash
  20. swing — in golf
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. bowl — to roll
  24. bowl — a dish

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