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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.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
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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. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  2. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  3. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. It is only in accepting others that we can ________________ down our own barriers.
  9. I cannot shed a ________________ for that horrible man.
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  12. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  13. Drying a ________________ is more honorable than shedding torrents of blood.
  14. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  17. Did you ________________ the meat?
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  20. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  24. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?

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

Answer key

  1. current — of water
  2. dip — to dunk
  3. bear — to put up with
  4. current — happening now
  5. dip — to sink
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. mark — a trace
  8. tear — to rip
  9. tear — from crying
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. dip — a sauce
  12. toast — the most admired
  13. tear — from crying
  14. toast — bread
  15. mark — a grade
  16. season — of the year
  17. season — to add flavour
  18. current — electric
  19. bear — the animal
  20. season — in sport
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. bear — the animal
  24. fan — a supporter

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