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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: jam · rush · toast · mug · lie · wave · lean · season

  1. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  4. That must've been a ________________.
  5. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  8. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  9. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  10. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  13. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  14. Did you ________________ the meat?
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. mug — a cup
  3. wave — a sudden rise
  4. rush — a thrill
  5. wave — of the sea
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. toast — bread
  8. season — of the year
  9. mug — a face
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. lie — to recline
  12. lean — thin
  13. toast — a drink to someone
  14. season — to add flavour
  15. mug — to rob
  16. lean — to rest against
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. season — in sport
  19. rush — to hurry
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. wave — with your hand
  23. rush — hurry
  24. lean — to bend

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