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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 had a fire ________________ at school today.
  2. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  7. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  10. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  18. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  24. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.

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

Answer key

  1. drill — a practice
  2. dip — a sauce
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. drill — the tool
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. mark — a trace
  7. dip — to dunk
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. mark — a grade
  10. drill — army training
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. pass — a permit
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. toast — bread
  17. dip — to sink
  18. lean — thin
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. lean — to bend
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. stand — to bear
  23. stand — for spectators
  24. lean — to rest against

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