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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 120 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. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  7. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  8. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  9. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  13. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  14. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  19. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  20. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  21. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  22. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!

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

Answer key

  1. kick — in football
  2. mug — a cup
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. bear — the animal
  7. deal — an agreement
  8. craft — a handicraft
  9. mouse — for a computer
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. rock — music
  12. rock — a stone
  13. deal — to handle
  14. bear — the animal
  15. mug — a face
  16. craft — boats
  17. bound — certain
  18. bound — obliged
  19. craft — a skill
  20. bound — tied together
  21. kick — a thrill
  22. kick — with a leg
  23. mug — to rob
  24. bear — to put up 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