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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 116 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. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  3. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  4. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  7. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  8. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  18. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. rash — on the skin
  3. deal — a big deal
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. fork — to eat with
  8. dip — a sauce
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. fork — in a road
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. suit — clothes
  13. rash — a series
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. deal — an agreement
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. dip — to sink
  18. deal — to handle
  19. rash — hasty
  20. dip — to dunk
  21. pass — a permit
  22. fan — to cool the air
  23. suit — to fit
  24. fork — a garden tool

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