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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. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. My mare is ________________ in color.
  8. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  16. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  17. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  20. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  24. I'd like to play a game of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — the vegetable
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. bore — to tire
  4. suit — in cards
  5. racket — a loud noise
  6. suit — to fit
  7. bay — a horse colour
  8. racket — for tennis
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. bay — a part of the sea
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. bore — to drill
  14. suit — clothes
  15. stand — for spectators
  16. squash — to crush
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. bay — to keep at bay
  20. bore — gave birth
  21. stand — to bear
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. stand — on your feet
  24. squash — the sport

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