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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. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  3. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  8. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  9. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  18. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — a penalty
  2. fine — high quality
  3. fan — a supporter
  4. suit — to fit
  5. net — in sport
  6. suit — in cards
  7. net — for catching
  8. fan — to cool the air
  9. net — after costs
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. board — to get on
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. can — to be able to
  17. fine — all right
  18. board — a flat piece
  19. can — a tin
  20. board — a committee
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. can — a tin
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. suit — clothes

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