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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. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. You don't need to ________________ round.
  5. We're almost out of ________________.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  9. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  10. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  11. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  12. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  19. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  20. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  21. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  22. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  24. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. pop — music
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. pop — to visit
  5. pop — soda
  6. suit — clothes
  7. key — in music
  8. track — to keep track
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. craft — boats
  11. track — a song
  12. bear — the animal
  13. suit — to fit
  14. key — for a lock
  15. bear — the animal
  16. key — the most important part
  17. suit — in cards
  18. jam — in traffic
  19. track — a path
  20. craft — a handicraft
  21. craft — a skill
  22. mouse — for a computer
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  24. bear — to put up with

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