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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. That was ________________ to happen.
  2. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  3. I'll be taking the ________________.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  7. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  8. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  9. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  10. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  11. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  12. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  13. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  14. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  15. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  16. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  21. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — certain
  2. tube — in a tire
  3. tube — the underground
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. jam — to spread on bread
  7. foot — the bottom
  8. bound — obliged
  9. wave — a sudden rise
  10. foot — a measure
  11. bass — the instrument
  12. tube — a container
  13. mouse — for a computer
  14. bound — tied together
  15. foot — part of the body
  16. bass — low music
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. wave — with your hand
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. wave — of the sea
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. bass — the fish

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