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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: mug · lie · deal · spell · bowl · jam · suit · ball

  1. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  2. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  5. How do you ________________ your surname?
  6. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  12. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  16. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  17. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  18. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  24. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — a short time
  2. jam — to spread on bread
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. spell — magic
  5. spell — letters
  6. deal — an agreement
  7. suit — to fit
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. lie — to recline
  10. suit — in cards
  11. deal — to handle
  12. bowl — to roll
  13. suit — clothes
  14. mug — to rob
  15. ball — a round shape
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. bowl — a football final
  18. ball — a great time
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. mug — a face
  21. ball — a dance
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. mug — a cup
  24. jam — in traffic

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