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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've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  4. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  5. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  6. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  7. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  8. The King held a masked ________________.
  9. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  10. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. I'll be taking the ________________.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  24. How do you ________________ your surname?

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

Answer key

  1. spell — a short time
  2. mark — a trace
  3. ball — a great time
  4. board — to get on
  5. tube — a container
  6. tube — in a tire
  7. toast — a drink to someone
  8. ball — a dance
  9. ball — a round shape
  10. rush — to hurry
  11. mug — a face
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. board — a committee
  14. rush — hurry
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. spell — magic
  18. mark — a grade
  19. toast — bread
  20. tube — the underground
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. mug — to rob
  23. mug — a cup
  24. spell — letters

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