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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 116 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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  10. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  11. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  14. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  15. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  16. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  17. Have you met the new head ________________?
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  23. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  24. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. coach — pulled by horses
  4. can — a tin
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. can — a tin
  7. deal — an agreement
  8. mark — a grade
  9. rest — what's left
  10. pit — a hole
  11. mark — a trace
  12. can — to be able to
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. board — to get on
  15. rest — a break
  16. deal — to handle
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. board — a committee
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. board — a flat piece
  23. rest — what's left
  24. pit — a fruit stone

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