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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 walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  5. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  8. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  14. My father caught me by the ________________.
  15. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  23. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  24. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a line of people
  2. rock — a stone
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. arm — part of the body
  5. mark — to pay attention
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. bank — for money
  8. chair — to sit on
  9. can — a tin
  10. can — a tin
  11. bank — of a river
  12. rock — music
  13. arm — a part of something
  14. arm — part of the body
  15. bank — for money
  16. mark — a trace
  17. can — to be able to
  18. file — a document
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. mark — a grade
  22. chair — a professorship
  23. chair — a leader
  24. file — a tool

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