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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  3. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  4. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  10. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  11. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  14. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  15. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  16. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  17. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  18. The King held a masked ________________.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  24. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. pass — to succeed
  3. bank — for money
  4. ball — a round shape
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. chip — to eat
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. mug — a cup
  9. kick — with a leg
  10. ball — a great time
  11. bank — of a river
  12. mug — to rob
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. stick — to attach or keep to
  15. kick — a thrill
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. chip — in a computer
  18. ball — a dance
  19. pass — a permit
  20. mug — a face
  21. bank — for money
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. kick — in football
  24. chip — for betting

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