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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. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  4. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  5. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  18. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. Don't do anything ________________.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. track — to keep track
  4. firm — decided
  5. track — a song
  6. can — a tin
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. mug — to rob
  9. mug — a cup
  10. can — to be able to
  11. rash — on the skin
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. can — a tin
  14. firm — a company
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. rash — a series
  18. track — a path
  19. lie — to recline
  20. rash — hasty
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. firm — steady
  24. safe — out of danger

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