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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 116 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. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  4. Don't do anything ________________.
  5. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  6. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  7. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  10. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  13. My mare is ________________ in color.
  14. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  15. The ________________ went through the wall.
  16. I can't ________________ this cold.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  24. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. bound — tied together
  3. bay — a part of the sea
  4. rash — hasty
  5. stand — for spectators
  6. rash — on the skin
  7. root — the cause
  8. bound — certain
  9. rash — a series
  10. bay — to keep at bay
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. rock — a stone
  13. bay — a horse colour
  14. bound — obliged
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. stand — to bear
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. stand — on your feet
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. rock — music
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. root — of a word
  24. root — of a plant

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