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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. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  4. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  5. Don't do anything ________________.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. When was this ________________ built?
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  10. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  11. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  12. He is an ace ________________.
  13. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  16. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  17. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  18. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. suit — clothes
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. rash — hasty
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. pitcher — a jug
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. pitcher — a jug
  12. pitcher — in baseball
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. rash — a series
  16. rash — on the skin
  17. racket — a loud noise
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. suit — to fit
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. stick — to attach or keep to

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