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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 hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. My father caught me by the ________________.
  3. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  11. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  12. Have you settled on a ________________?
  13. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  14. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. That was ________________ to happen.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  24. We are ________________ to obey laws.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. arm — part of the body
  3. race — a contest
  4. suit — in cards
  5. race — the arms race
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. suit — clothes
  8. date — on the calendar
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. board — a flat piece
  11. date — the fruit
  12. date — on the calendar
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. race — humankind
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. suit — to fit
  17. board — a committee
  18. bound — certain
  19. mark — a grade
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. board — to get on
  22. bound — tied together
  23. arm — a part of something
  24. bound — obliged

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