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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: nail · suit · ball · mug · toast · bear · mouse · pass

  1. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  10. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  15. The ________________ went through the wall.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  20. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. The King held a masked ________________.
  23. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  24. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!

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

Answer key

  1. toast — the most admired
  2. mug — a cup
  3. suit — to fit
  4. nail — on a finger
  5. mug — to rob
  6. toast — bread
  7. bear — the animal
  8. suit — clothes
  9. pass — to succeed
  10. mouse — for a computer
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. mug — a face
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. suit — in cards
  17. ball — a round shape
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. bear — the animal
  20. ball — a great time
  21. pass — a permit
  22. ball — a dance
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. bear — to put up with

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