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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  5. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  6. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  7. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  8. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  9. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  14. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  15. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  16. He is an ace ________________.
  17. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. pitcher — a jug
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. wax — in the ear
  5. dip — a sauce
  6. mug — a cup
  7. object — a thing
  8. dip — to sink
  9. object — an aim
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. wax — for sculpting
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. wax — to grow
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. object — to protest
  16. pitcher — in baseball
  17. dip — to dunk
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. suit — to fit
  20. suit — clothes
  21. mug — a face
  22. suit — in cards
  23. mouse — for a computer
  24. mug — to rob

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