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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're on a ________________ here.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  9. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  16. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  17. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. The spa offers ________________ extensions.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — on a roll
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. mark — a trace
  4. mug — to rob
  5. charge — electricity
  6. bass — low music
  7. mark — a grade
  8. pit — a hole
  9. bass — the instrument
  10. mug — a cup
  11. pit — a fruit stone
  12. charge — in control
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. charge — a price
  15. plane — a tool
  16. pit — in a race
  17. roll — a list
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. bass — the fish
  20. mug — a face
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. roll — a cake
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. lash — an eyelash

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