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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. What do you think of the new ________________?
  2. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  5. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  6. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  12. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  13. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  19. The ________________ took off on time.
  20. My mare is ________________ in color.
  21. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. toast — bread
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. bay — to keep at bay
  5. wind — moving air
  6. toast — the most admired
  7. suit — in cards
  8. rock — a stone
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. wind — moving air
  12. plane — a tool
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. suit — clothes
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. suit — to fit
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. wind — to turn a key
  19. plane — an aircraft
  20. bay — a horse colour
  21. toast — a drink to someone
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. plane — in geometry
  24. rock — music

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