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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. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  2. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  3. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  6. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. My mare is ________________ in color.
  9. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  17. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  18. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  21. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. bat — for baseball
  2. rule — government
  3. bat — in an idiom
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. rule — to rule out
  6. foot — the bottom
  7. charge — electricity
  8. bay — a horse colour
  9. rule — a law
  10. charge — a price
  11. charge — in control
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. bay — a part of the sea
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. foot — part of the body
  17. toast — a drink to someone
  18. bay — to keep at bay
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. bat — the animal
  21. foot — a measure
  22. toast — bread
  23. toast — the most admired
  24. safe — a strongbox

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