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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. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  2. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  3. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  4. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  7. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  8. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  9. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. I'll be taking the ________________.
  18. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  19. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  20. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  21. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  22. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  23. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a line of people
  2. file — a document
  3. bore — to tire
  4. tube — a container
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. bay — to keep at bay
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. tube — in a tire
  9. file — a tool
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. suit — clothes
  13. bay — a part of the sea
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. cap — a lid
  16. suit — to fit
  17. tube — the underground
  18. perch — the fish
  19. cap — a hat
  20. perch — for a bird
  21. bore — gave birth
  22. cap — of ice
  23. bore — to drill
  24. suit — in cards

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