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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. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. You don't need to ________________ round.
  3. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  4. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  5. We're almost out of ________________.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  13. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  18. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  19. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  20. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. Recycle the empty soda ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. pop — to visit
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. stand — for spectators
  5. pop — soda
  6. can — to be able to
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. hand — help
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. hand — in cards
  13. stick — to attach or keep to
  14. stand — to bear
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. hand — part of the body
  18. rock — a stone
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. pop — music
  21. rock — music
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. can — a tin

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