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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. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  2. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  3. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. David sat on the ________________.
  7. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  8. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  9. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  10. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  13. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  14. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  15. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  16. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  17. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  21. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.

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

Answer key

  1. fall — the season
  2. swing — music
  3. toast — a drink to someone
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. swing — to play on
  7. wave — a sudden rise
  8. net — after costs
  9. hide — animal skin
  10. charge — in control
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. fall — to drop
  14. hide — to keep secret
  15. wave — with your hand
  16. net — for catching
  17. net — in sport
  18. charge — electricity
  19. toast — bread
  20. swing — in golf
  21. wave — of the sea
  22. charge — a price
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. fall — to drop

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