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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  11. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  12. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  13. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  14. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  17. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.
  18. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  19. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. lie — to recline
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. plane — a tool
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. capital — a big letter
  8. suit — in cards
  9. suit — clothes
  10. track — to keep track
  11. plane — in geometry
  12. capital — a city
  13. jam — in traffic
  14. track — a path
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. object — to protest
  17. capital — money
  18. object — a thing
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. track — a song
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. suit — to fit
  24. object — an aim

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