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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. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  4. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. Have you found your soul ________________?
  7. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  8. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  9. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  10. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  18. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  19. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  20. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  21. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  22. False peace will not ________________.
  23. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — with your hand
  2. deal — to handle
  3. wave — of the sea
  4. wave — a sudden rise
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. mate — a partner
  7. wax — to grow
  8. present — a gift
  9. last — finally
  10. bay — a part of the sea
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. mate — to breed
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. present — there
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. toast — bread
  17. wax — in the ear
  18. last — final
  19. deal — an agreement
  20. mate — a friend
  21. wax — for sculpting
  22. last — to go on
  23. present — the time now
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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