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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. David sat on the ________________.
  4. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  5. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  6. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  7. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  8. The ball is in your ________________.
  9. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  10. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  11. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  14. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  15. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  16. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  19. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  20. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  21. My mare is ________________ in color.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  24. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. swing — to play on
  4. face — part of the head
  5. bay — a part of the sea
  6. swing — in golf
  7. pit — a hole
  8. court — for sport
  9. court — of law
  10. root — of a plant
  11. face — to point toward
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. court — of a king
  14. face — to confront
  15. swing — music
  16. root — the cause
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. toast — bread
  19. toast — the most admired
  20. pit — a fruit stone
  21. bay — a horse colour
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. root — of a word
  24. pit — in a race

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