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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 smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  3. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  4. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  7. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  8. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  9. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  12. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  13. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  14. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  15. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  16. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  19. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. pound — to hit hard
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. patient — calm and waiting
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. patient — a sick person
  7. stand — on your feet
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. jam — in traffic
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. jam — a tight spot
  12. wax — to grow
  13. wax — for sculpting
  14. stick — to attach or keep to
  15. pound — for dogs
  16. lash — an eyelash
  17. stand — to bear
  18. wax — in the ear
  19. patient — a sick person
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. pound — a weight

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