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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 120 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. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  16. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  17. My mare is ________________ in color.
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to dunk
  2. object — a thing
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. bay — a part of the sea
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. can — to be able to
  7. dip — to sink
  8. can — a tin
  9. object — an aim
  10. fine — high quality
  11. bay — to keep at bay
  12. fine — all right
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. can — a tin
  15. object — to protest
  16. dip — a sauce
  17. bay — a horse colour
  18. stand — to bear
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. rock — music
  21. rush — to hurry
  22. rock — a stone
  23. stand — for spectators
  24. rush — hurry

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