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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. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  4. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  5. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  11. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  12. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  13. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  14. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  17. Where did you ________________ them?
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  21. Have you found your soul ________________?
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wake — to stop sleeping
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. cue — a hint
  4. mug — a face
  5. lash — to lash out
  6. can — a tin
  7. foot — part of the body
  8. mug — a cup
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. foot — the bottom
  11. wake — before a funeral
  12. wake — a trail
  13. mate — to breed
  14. foot — a measure
  15. can — a tin
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. mug — to rob
  18. cue — for pool
  19. can — to be able to
  20. mate — a friend
  21. mate — a partner
  22. cue — a signal
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. ruler — a monarch

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