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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. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  2. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  5. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  6. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  7. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  8. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. What do you think of the new ________________?
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. We're on a ________________ here.
  18. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  19. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  22. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  23. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. object — a thing
  2. object — an aim
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. jam — to spread on bread
  5. jam — a tight spot
  6. roll — a list
  7. fan — a supporter
  8. object — to protest
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. bank — for money
  11. bank — for money
  12. roll — a cake
  13. can — to be able to
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. can — a tin
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. roll — on a roll
  18. cabinet — a cupboard
  19. fan — to cool the air
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. jam — in traffic
  22. bank — of a river
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. can — a tin

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