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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
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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: toast · mug · can · mouse · deal · snap · temple · fan

  1. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  2. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  6. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  7. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  8. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  9. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  10. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  15. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. When was this ________________ built?
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a cup
  2. snap — to snap out of it
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. can — to be able to
  5. deal — an agreement
  6. temple — side of the head
  7. mouse — for a computer
  8. deal — to handle
  9. snap — to speak sharply
  10. toast — bread
  11. mug — to rob
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. can — a tin
  14. snap — to click
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. can — a tin
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. mug — a face
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. deal — a big deal

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