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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. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  4. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  7. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  8. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  13. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  14. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  15. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  16. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  21. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  22. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  23. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. hide — to keep secret
  2. mug — a cup
  3. bear — the animal
  4. mug — a face
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. cue — a signal
  7. bear — to put up with
  8. bear — the animal
  9. mug — to rob
  10. deal — an agreement
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. cue — a hint
  13. dip — to dunk
  14. hide — animal skin
  15. cue — for pool
  16. stand — for spectators
  17. stand — to bear
  18. dip — to sink
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. dip — a sauce
  21. deal — to handle
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. deal — a big deal
  24. temple — a place of worship

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