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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: can · key · ground · racket · mug · toast · mate · wave

  1. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  2. There's no middle ________________.
  3. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. Have you found your soul ________________?
  9. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  10. This piece is in a major ________________.
  11. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  16. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  17. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  18. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  24. Add some ________________ pepper to it.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — the earth
  2. ground — a position
  3. wave — of the sea
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. mug — a cup
  6. wave — a sudden rise
  7. key — for a lock
  8. mate — a partner
  9. racket — a loud noise
  10. key — in music
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. mug — to rob
  13. can — to be able to
  14. key — the most important part
  15. toast — bread
  16. toast — the most admired
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. mate — to breed
  19. can — a tin
  20. wave — with your hand
  21. mug — a face
  22. can — a tin
  23. mate — a friend
  24. ground — crushed

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