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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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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. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  2. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  3. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  6. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  7. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  8. We're on a ________________ here.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  13. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  22. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  23. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a cup
  2. roll — a list
  3. pitch — completely
  4. can — to be able to
  5. rest — a break
  6. rest — what's left
  7. toast — bread
  8. roll — on a roll
  9. can — a tin
  10. row — to paddle
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. pitch — a sales talk
  13. calf — of the leg
  14. mug — to rob
  15. roll — a cake
  16. mug — a face
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. row — a quarrel
  19. can — a tin
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. pitch — a sports field
  22. rest — what's left
  23. row — a line
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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