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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.

Make a worksheet

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. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  3. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  6. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  7. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  8. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  21. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. Tom got himself in a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. wax — in the ear
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. mug — a cup
  5. fan — to cool the air
  6. racket — a loud noise
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. wax — for sculpting
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. wax — to grow
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. mug — to rob
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. racket — for tennis
  21. cabinet — a cupboard
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. mug — a face
  24. jam — a tight spot

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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