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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 were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  2. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  3. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  4. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  5. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  8. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  13. The King held a masked ________________.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  20. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  23. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. kick — in football
  2. kick — a thrill
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. firm — a company
  5. bank — of a river
  6. mug — to rob
  7. ball — a round shape
  8. bank — for money
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. bulb — for light
  11. mark — a grade
  12. firm — steady
  13. ball — a dance
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. mark — a trace
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. bulb — for light
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. bank — for money
  20. ball — a great time
  21. mug — a cup
  22. kick — with a leg
  23. firm — decided
  24. mug — a face

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