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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. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  3. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  8. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  9. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  15. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  18. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  22. When are we going to ________________?
  23. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  24. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. fork — in a road
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. fork — a garden tool
  8. land — ground
  9. bank — of a river
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. mug — a cup
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. mug — to rob
  14. mug — a face
  15. land — a country
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. bank — for money
  18. stick — to attach or keep to
  19. ball — a dance
  20. bank — for money
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. land — to come down
  23. ball — a great time
  24. fork — to eat with

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