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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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  3. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  4. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  8. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  11. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. That was ________________ to happen.
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. kid — to tease
  3. bound — obliged
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. stand — to bear
  7. wave — a sudden rise
  8. stick — to attach or keep to
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. wave — of the sea
  11. wave — with your hand
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  14. suit — in cards
  15. bound — certain
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. bound — tied together
  19. suit — to fit
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. rush — hurry
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. suit — clothes
  24. kid — child

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