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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. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  6. He works in a ________________ mill.
  7. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  8. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  9. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  10. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  11. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  12. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  13. Don't do anything ________________.
  14. She's very handy with a ________________.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  19. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  24. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — a sudden rise
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. wave — of the sea
  6. saw — the tool
  7. prune — the fruit
  8. track — a song
  9. pass — to succeed
  10. mark — a trace
  11. track — to keep track
  12. wave — with your hand
  13. rash — hasty
  14. saw — the tool
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. track — a path
  19. prune — to trim
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. mark — a grade
  22. pass — a permit
  23. prune — to trim
  24. rash — a series

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