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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: rush · toast · fine · object · stick · sharp · mark · pit

  1. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  4. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  5. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  6. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  10. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  14. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  20. It's one o'clock ________________.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. This knife is not ________________ enough.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. object — a thing
  3. pit — a fruit stone
  4. object — an aim
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. fine — high quality
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. fine — all right
  9. stick — to attach or keep to
  10. pit — a hole
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. toast — bread
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. object — to protest
  18. rush — hurry
  19. sharp — clever
  20. sharp — exactly
  21. mark — a grade
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. mark — a trace
  24. sharp — with an edge

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