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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. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  2. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  3. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  12. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  13. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — to lash out
  2. deal — an agreement
  3. board — a flat piece
  4. cue — for pool
  5. cap — a hat
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. deal — to handle
  8. pass — a permit
  9. deal — a big deal
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. board — to get on
  12. jam — in traffic
  13. cap — of ice
  14. board — a committee
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. prune — to trim
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. prune — the fruit
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. cap — a lid
  21. cue — a signal
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. cue — a hint
  24. prune — to trim

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