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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. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  2. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  3. Have you met the new head ________________?
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  12. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  13. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  14. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  15. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  16. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  17. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  23. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  24. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — to pay attention
  2. coach — pulled by horses
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. vault — an arched ceiling
  7. mark — a grade
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. root — of a plant
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. lash — to lash out
  13. mark — a trace
  14. firm — a company
  15. jam — to spread on bread
  16. root — the cause
  17. firm — steady
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. vault — a safe
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. firm — decided
  23. root — of a word
  24. vault — in gymnastics

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