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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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. When are we going to ________________?
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  7. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  8. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  9. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  10. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  11. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  12. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  13. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  14. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  17. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  18. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  21. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  22. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. land — to come down
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. stick — to attach or keep to
  5. stand — to bear
  6. rest — what's left
  7. track — a path
  8. lash — an eyelash
  9. racket — for tennis
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. rest — a break
  12. land — ground
  13. lash — to lash out
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. rock — music
  16. racket — a loud noise
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. land — a country
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. track — to keep track
  21. rock — a stone
  22. rest — what's left
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. track — a song

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