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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 little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  2. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. It's one o'clock ________________.
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  13. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  14. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  15. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  18. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  19. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  22. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. sharp — clever
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. object — a thing
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. fine — high quality
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. sharp — exactly
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. toast — the most admired
  13. drill — a practice
  14. drill — army training
  15. object — to protest
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. object — an aim
  18. drill — the tool
  19. bear — the animal
  20. toast — bread
  21. bear — to put up with
  22. sharp — with an edge
  23. fine — all right
  24. temple — a place of worship

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