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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. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. My mare is ________________ in color.
  9. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  10. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  11. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  12. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  13. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  14. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  18. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  19. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  20. False peace will not ________________.
  21. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  22. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. bay — a part of the sea
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. last — finally
  7. fine — all right
  8. bay — a horse colour
  9. wax — for sculpting
  10. wax — in the ear
  11. last — final
  12. nail — on a finger
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. fine — high quality
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. fine — a penalty
  18. staff — a stick
  19. wax — to grow
  20. last — to go on
  21. staff — employees
  22. staff — employees
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. nail — for a hammer

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