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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. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  4. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. He is an ace ________________.
  7. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  8. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  9. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  10. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  11. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  16. I can't ________________ this cold.
  17. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  18. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  19. The ________________ went through the wall.
  20. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  21. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. chip — to eat
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. mug — a cup
  6. pitcher — in baseball
  7. mouse — for a computer
  8. stand — on your feet
  9. chip — in a computer
  10. mark — a trace
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. chip — for betting
  16. stand — to bear
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. mark — a grade
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. mug — a face
  23. nail — on a finger
  24. mug — to rob

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