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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. That was ________________ to happen.
  2. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  3. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  4. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  5. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  6. Don't do anything ________________.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  9. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  10. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  11. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  12. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  15. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Did you ________________ the meat?
  24. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — certain
  2. firm — a company
  3. season — in sport
  4. bound — obliged
  5. temple — side of the head
  6. rash — hasty
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. rash — on the skin
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. firm — decided
  11. object — an aim
  12. firm — steady
  13. mug — a cup
  14. object — a thing
  15. rash — a series
  16. mug — to rob
  17. season — of the year
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. mug — a face
  21. object — to protest
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. season — to add flavour
  24. bound — tied together

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