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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 cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. He works in a ________________ mill.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  7. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  8. She's very handy with a ________________.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  14. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  15. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  16. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  17. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  18. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  21. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. saw — the tool
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. suit — to fit
  6. mug — a cup
  7. track — to keep track
  8. saw — the tool
  9. suit — in cards
  10. bowl — a dish
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. mug — to rob
  13. track — a path
  14. wake — to stop sleeping
  15. bowl — to roll
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. saw — past of 'see'
  18. wake — a trail
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. wake — before a funeral
  21. track — a song
  22. mug — a face
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. bowl — a football final

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