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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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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. When will it ________________ you to start?
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  10. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  11. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  12. Have you met the new head ________________?
  13. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  19. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — to fit
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. rock — a stone
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. key — for a lock
  8. suit — clothes
  9. object — an aim
  10. dip — to sink
  11. chip — to eat
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. dip — a sauce
  14. suit — in cards
  15. key — in music
  16. object — to protest
  17. key — the most important part
  18. chip — for betting
  19. dip — to dunk
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. rock — music
  24. object — a thing

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