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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  3. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  4. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  5. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  8. My mare is ________________ in color.
  9. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  12. The ________________ market has crashed.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  24. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. bay — a part of the sea
  3. track — to keep track
  4. track — a song
  5. staff — employees
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. perch — the fish
  8. bay — a horse colour
  9. track — a path
  10. rush — hurry
  11. perch — for a bird
  12. stock — shares
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. perch — for a bird
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. deal — to handle
  17. staff — employees
  18. lie — to recline
  19. staff — a stick
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. stock — a soup base
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. stock — goods

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