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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. The ________________ market has crashed.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. We're on a ________________ here.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  9. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  10. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  11. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  14. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  20. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  21. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  22. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. That must've been a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stock — shares
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. roll — on a roll
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. bowl — a football final
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. mug — to rob
  8. stock — goods
  9. rush — hurry
  10. mug — a face
  11. bowl — a dish
  12. mug — a cup
  13. staff — employees
  14. roll — a list
  15. charge — electricity
  16. bowl — to roll
  17. charge — a price
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. roll — a cake
  20. stock — a soup base
  21. staff — employees
  22. staff — a stick
  23. charge — in control
  24. rush — a thrill

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