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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 120 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. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  4. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  9. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  12. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  13. That was a fun ________________.
  14. David sat on the ________________.
  15. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  16. Don't do anything ________________.
  17. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  18. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  19. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  20. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  21. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  24. I've got the luggage in my ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — a company
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. swing — music
  4. firm — decided
  5. suit — clothes
  6. game — wild animals
  7. suit — to fit
  8. rash — a series
  9. bear — the animal
  10. suit — in cards
  11. fan — to cool the air
  12. rash — on the skin
  13. game — a match
  14. swing — to play on
  15. firm — steady
  16. rash — hasty
  17. bear — the animal
  18. bear — to put up with
  19. trunk — of an elephant
  20. game — a kind of play
  21. swing — in golf
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. trunk — of a car

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