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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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468
Word bank
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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 came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  2. What do you think of the new ________________?
  3. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  9. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  10. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  17. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  18. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  19. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  20. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  21. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  22. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  23. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  24. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.

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

Answer key

  1. fork — in a road
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. mine — an explosive
  4. can — a tin
  5. can — to be able to
  6. racket — for tennis
  7. mug — a face
  8. toast — the most admired
  9. fork — a garden tool
  10. wax — to grow
  11. can — a tin
  12. toast — bread
  13. mug — a cup
  14. mug — to rob
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. wax — in the ear
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. racket — a loud noise
  19. fork — to eat with
  20. mine — for digging
  21. cabinet — a cupboard
  22. wax — for sculpting
  23. toast — a drink to someone
  24. mine — belonging to me

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