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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. The King held a masked ________________.
  2. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  3. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  4. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  9. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  10. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  13. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  14. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  15. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  16. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  17. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  18. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  21. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  22. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  23. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a dance
  2. fine — high quality
  3. bore — gave birth
  4. club — for golf
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. rest — what's left
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. cap — of ice
  9. club — for dancing
  10. pitch — a sales talk
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. rest — what's left
  13. rest — a break
  14. ball — a great time
  15. bore — to tire
  16. pitch — a sports field
  17. bore — to drill
  18. pitch — completely
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. ball — a round shape
  21. cap — a lid
  22. club — a group
  23. cap — a hat
  24. fine — all right

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