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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.

Make a worksheet

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: deal · jam · rush · season · ruler · staff · wave · toast

  1. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  2. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  3. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  4. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  9. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  12. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  13. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  14. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  15. Did you ________________ the meat?
  16. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  19. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. The old man leaned on his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. toast — a drink to someone
  2. season — in sport
  3. season — of the year
  4. toast — bread
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. wave — a sudden rise
  9. staff — employees
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. rush — to hurry
  12. rush — hurry
  13. staff — employees
  14. wave — of the sea
  15. season — to add flavour
  16. deal — an agreement
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. wave — with your hand
  19. jam — to spread on bread
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. deal — to handle
  24. staff — a stick

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