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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  4. He was locked up in a ________________.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  8. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  11. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  21. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  22. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. band — a rubber band
  4. cell — in a prison
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. board — a committee
  9. can — a tin
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. band — a music group
  12. board — to get on
  13. pass — a permit
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. can — a tin
  16. hide — animal skin
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. cell — in biology
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. band — a ring
  21. board — a flat piece
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. can — to be able to
  24. cell — a phone

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