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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: mine · wave · deal · rush · toast · bay · craft · pitcher

  1. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  2. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  3. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  4. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  9. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  10. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  11. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  12. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  13. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  14. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  15. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  22. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. He is an ace ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — with your hand
  2. toast — a drink to someone
  3. craft — boats
  4. wave — a sudden rise
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. bay — a part of the sea
  9. mine — an explosive
  10. craft — a handicraft
  11. craft — a skill
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. wave — of the sea
  14. toast — the most admired
  15. deal — an agreement
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. mine — belonging to me
  18. rush — hurry
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. toast — bread
  22. mine — for digging
  23. deal — to handle
  24. pitcher — in baseball

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