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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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Word bank
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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. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  6. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  7. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  8. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  22. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. bowl — a football final
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. suit — to fit
  5. leaves — lets stay
  6. bowl — to roll
  7. bowl — a dish
  8. mouse — for a computer
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. scale — size or range
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. suit — in cards
  13. jam — in traffic
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. suit — clothes
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. scale — for weighing
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. fan — to cool the air
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. mouse — the animal

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