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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 116 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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. She's very handy with a ________________.
  3. He works in a ________________ mill.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  13. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. saw — the tool
  3. saw — the tool
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. mark — to pay attention
  6. mug — to rob
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. mark — a grade
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. pitch — a sports field
  13. cabinet — a cupboard
  14. mug — a cup
  15. pitch — a sales talk
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. pitch — completely
  18. mug — a face

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