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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 116 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. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  2. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  3. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  4. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  5. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  6. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  7. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  8. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  11. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. Don't do anything ________________.
  16. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. He is as ________________ as a wolf.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to dunk
  2. dip — a sauce
  3. charge — in control
  4. dip — to sink
  5. deal — an agreement
  6. rash — on the skin
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. lean — to bend
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. leaves — to go away
  11. lean — to rest against
  12. can — a tin
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. can — a tin
  15. rash — hasty
  16. deal — a big deal
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. charge — electricity
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. deal — to handle
  21. charge — a price
  22. rash — a series
  23. can — to be able to
  24. lean — thin

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