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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  3. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  4. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  5. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  10. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  11. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  12. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  13. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  14. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. The King held a masked ________________.
  17. It's one o'clock ________________.
  18. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  19. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  22. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  23. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  24. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. racket — a loud noise
  3. fine — high quality
  4. foot — a measure
  5. foot — the bottom
  6. lie — to recline
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. sharp — with an edge
  10. foot — part of the body
  11. ball — a round shape
  12. sharp — clever
  13. bowl — a dish
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. fine — all right
  16. ball — a dance
  17. sharp — exactly
  18. bowl — to roll
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. ball — a great time
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. fine — a penalty
  24. bowl — a football final

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