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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. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  4. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. Have you settled on a ________________?
  8. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  13. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  14. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  15. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. How do you ________________ your surname?
  21. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — a short time
  2. suit — in cards
  3. snap — to click
  4. fine — all right
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. date — on the calendar
  8. rash — on the skin
  9. suit — to fit
  10. fine — high quality
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. date — on the calendar
  13. snap — to speak sharply
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. rash — a series
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. date — the fruit
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. rash — hasty
  20. spell — letters
  21. spell — magic
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. snap — to snap out of it
  24. suit — clothes

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