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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. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  2. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  3. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  4. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  5. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  6. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  9. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  14. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  15. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  16. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  17. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  18. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  19. That was ________________ to happen.
  20. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.

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

Answer key

  1. straw — dry grass
  2. hand — in cards
  3. bore — gave birth
  4. wave — a sudden rise
  5. straw — to clutch at straws
  6. bore — to tire
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. bank — for money
  9. bound — tied together
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. wave — of the sea
  14. toast — the most admired
  15. hand — part of the body
  16. bound — obliged
  17. bore — to drill
  18. hand — help
  19. bound — certain
  20. wave — with your hand
  21. bank — of a river
  22. toast — bread
  23. bank — for money
  24. straw — a straw man

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