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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. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  10. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  17. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  18. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  21. She's very handy with a ________________.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. chip — to eat
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. fine — a penalty
  5. rock — a stone
  6. wax — for sculpting
  7. fine — all right
  8. fine — high quality
  9. lie — to recline
  10. toast — the most admired
  11. saw — the tool
  12. mug — a face
  13. mug — a cup
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. rock — music
  16. wax — to grow
  17. chip — in a computer
  18. chip — for betting
  19. toast — bread
  20. wax — in the ear
  21. saw — the tool
  22. mug — to rob
  23. toast — a drink to someone
  24. lie — an untruth

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