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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. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  2. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  7. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  14. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  15. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  20. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  21. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  22. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  23. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — obliged
  2. fine — a penalty
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. fine — all right
  7. drill — the tool
  8. bound — certain
  9. drill — a practice
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. snap — to snap out of it
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. snap — to click
  14. fine — high quality
  15. bore — to tire
  16. suit — to fit
  17. mouse — for a computer
  18. suit — clothes
  19. bore — gave birth
  20. drill — army training
  21. bound — tied together
  22. snap — to speak sharply
  23. bore — to drill
  24. suit — in cards

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