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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  4. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  5. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  9. My mare is ________________ in color.
  10. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  13. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  16. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  17. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  21. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  22. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  23. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  24. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. suit — clothes
  3. club — for golf
  4. club — for dancing
  5. bay — a part of the sea
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. suit — in cards
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. bay — a horse colour
  10. fan — to cool the air
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. bark — to shout
  13. bass — the fish
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. toast — bread
  16. bass — low music
  17. mark — a trace
  18. mark — a grade
  19. suit — to fit
  20. toast — a drink to someone
  21. club — a group
  22. bark — a dog's sound
  23. bass — the instrument
  24. bark — of a tree

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