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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. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  2. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  5. I'll be taking the ________________.
  6. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  7. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  8. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  17. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  18. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  19. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. hide — animal skin
  2. mark — a grade
  3. mark — a trace
  4. tube — a container
  5. tube — the underground
  6. track — a path
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. content — happy
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. tube — in a tire
  11. suit — clothes
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. key — the most important part
  14. key — in music
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. track — a song
  17. track — to keep track
  18. content — videos and posts
  19. content — the amount
  20. key — for a lock
  21. suit — in cards
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. suit — to fit

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