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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 was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. How do you ________________ your surname?
  8. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  9. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  10. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  11. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  17. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. Don't do anything ________________.
  21. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  24. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. suit — in cards
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. spell — magic
  6. suit — to fit
  7. spell — letters
  8. deal — to handle
  9. rash — on the skin
  10. rash — a series
  11. bank — of a river
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. suit — clothes
  14. pass — a permit
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. bank — for money
  17. spell — a short time
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. bank — for money
  20. rash — hasty
  21. mouse — for a computer
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. mouse — the animal

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