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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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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: mark · current · squash · deal · racket · mug · suit · roll

  1. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. We're on a ________________ here.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  11. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  12. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  13. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  14. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  15. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  16. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  17. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  18. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  24. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. squash — the sport
  3. mug — a cup
  4. roll — on a roll
  5. current — happening now
  6. deal — an agreement
  7. current — of water
  8. current — electric
  9. suit — clothes
  10. mark — a grade
  11. squash — the vegetable
  12. racket — a loud noise
  13. roll — a list
  14. mug — a face
  15. racket — for tennis
  16. deal — a big deal
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. squash — to crush
  19. mug — to rob
  20. suit — to fit
  21. deal — to handle
  22. suit — in cards
  23. roll — a cake
  24. mark — to pay attention

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