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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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  4. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  5. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  6. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  12. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  13. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  14. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  15. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  16. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  17. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. That was ________________ to happen.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. bound — tied together
  3. foot — a measure
  4. wax — in the ear
  5. wax — to grow
  6. wound — an injury
  7. bound — obliged
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. wax — for sculpting
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. foot — the bottom
  12. pit — a fruit stone
  13. band — a rubber band
  14. band — a ring
  15. band — a music group
  16. wound — past of 'wind'
  17. pit — a hole
  18. mug — a face
  19. mug — to rob
  20. wound — an injury
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. mug — a cup
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. bound — certain

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