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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. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  5. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  6. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  7. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  8. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  11. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  12. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. Don't do anything ________________.
  15. I'll be taking the ________________.
  16. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  17. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — lets stay
  2. suit — in cards
  3. suit — clothes
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. snap — to snap out of it
  6. drill — a practice
  7. rash — a series
  8. drill — the tool
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. snap — to speak sharply
  11. tube — a container
  12. snap — to click
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. rash — hasty
  15. tube — the underground
  16. drill — army training
  17. rash — on the skin
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. tube — in a tire
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. suit — to fit

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