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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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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. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  5. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  6. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. The ________________ went through the wall.
  14. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  15. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  21. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. can — to be able to
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. pitch — completely
  5. lean — to rest against
  6. root — of a word
  7. mug — a cup
  8. root — of a plant
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. pitch — a sports field
  11. can — a tin
  12. fine — all right
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. mug — a face
  15. lean — thin
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. lean — to bend
  19. can — a tin
  20. pitch — a sales talk
  21. root — the cause
  22. mug — to rob
  23. fine — high quality
  24. nail — on a finger

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