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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 120 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: mug · rock · bear · hide · saw · pop · mouse · pit

  1. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  2. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  3. We're almost out of ________________.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  7. He works in a ________________ mill.
  8. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  9. You don't need to ________________ round.
  10. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  11. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  12. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  13. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  14. She's very handy with a ________________.
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  17. Where did you ________________ them?
  18. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  21. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  22. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  24. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a cup
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. pop — soda
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. rock — music
  7. saw — the tool
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. pop — to visit
  10. pit — a fruit stone
  11. bear — the animal
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. saw — the tool
  15. mug — a face
  16. pop — music
  17. mug — to rob
  18. hide — animal skin
  19. rock — a stone
  20. bear — to put up with
  21. pit — in a race
  22. pit — a hole
  23. rock — to move gently
  24. bear — the animal

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