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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. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  7. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  11. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  12. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  13. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  18. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  19. Did you ________________ the meat?
  20. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  23. My father caught me by the ________________.
  24. We ________________ up on opposing sides.

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

Answer key

  1. wound — an injury
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. snap — to speak sharply
  7. season — of the year
  8. mark — a trace
  9. fine — high quality
  10. foot — a measure
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. season — in sport
  13. arm — a part of something
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. mark — a grade
  16. fine — all right
  17. wound — an injury
  18. foot — part of the body
  19. season — to add flavour
  20. snap — to snap out of it
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. snap — to click
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. wound — past of 'wind'

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