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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.

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: ruler · coach · dip · season · bear · wax · mark · wave

  1. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  4. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  5. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  6. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  13. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  16. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  17. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  18. Did you ________________ the meat?
  19. Have you met the new head ________________?
  20. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  21. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  22. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  23. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  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. coach — a trainer
  2. dip — to sink
  3. wax — in the ear
  4. bear — the animal
  5. wax — for sculpting
  6. coach — pulled by horses
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. dip — to dunk
  11. mark — a grade
  12. dip — a sauce
  13. wave — with your hand
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. season — of the year
  16. bear — the animal
  17. mark — a trace
  18. season — to add flavour
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. season — in sport
  21. wax — to grow
  22. wave — a sudden rise
  23. wave — of the sea
  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