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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 116 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. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  5. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  6. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  15. The tickets are free of ________________.
  16. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  17. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. deal — to handle
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. rock — music
  5. track — a song
  6. calf — of the leg
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. can — a tin
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. saw — the tool
  12. charge — in control
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. track — a path
  15. charge — a price
  16. track — to keep track
  17. deal — an agreement
  18. charge — electricity
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. can — to be able to
  21. deal — a big deal
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. saw — the tool
  24. can — a tin

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