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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. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  7. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  8. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  9. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  10. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  11. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  12. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. That was ________________ to happen.
  15. Did you ________________ the button?
  16. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. It's one o'clock ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — with an edge
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. mug — to rob
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. mug — a cup
  6. bound — tied together
  7. press — newspapers
  8. track — a path
  9. deal — an agreement
  10. track — to keep track
  11. track — a song
  12. press — a publisher
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. bound — certain
  15. press — to push
  16. bound — obliged
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. mug — a face
  20. sharp — clever
  21. pass — a permit
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. deal — to handle
  24. sharp — exactly

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