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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: snap · can · mark · fine · roll · rock · last · lean

  1. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  3. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  6. False peace will not ________________.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  13. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  14. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  15. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  18. We're on a ________________ here.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. snap — to snap out of it
  3. roll — a list
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. lean — to bend
  6. last — to go on
  7. can — a tin
  8. last — final
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. lean — to rest against
  11. rock — a stone
  12. fine — high quality
  13. snap — to click
  14. last — finally
  15. roll — a cake
  16. fine — all right
  17. snap — to speak sharply
  18. roll — on a roll
  19. mark — a grade
  20. can — to be able to
  21. can — a tin
  22. rock — music
  23. lean — thin
  24. fine — a penalty

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