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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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Word bank
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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. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  8. The ________________ went through the wall.
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  11. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  16. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  22. Did you ________________ the meat?
  23. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  24. My mare is ________________ in color.

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

Answer key

  1. season — of the year
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. can — to be able to
  5. pitch — a sales talk
  6. can — a tin
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. pitch — completely
  11. mouse — for a computer
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. pitch — a sports field
  16. leaves — of a tree
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. can — a tin
  19. season — in sport
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. nail — on a finger
  22. season — to add flavour
  23. bay — a part of the sea
  24. bay — a horse colour

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