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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. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  2. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  5. There's no middle ________________.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  9. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  10. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  11. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — the earth
  2. ground — crushed
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. file — a document
  5. ground — a position
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. charge — in control
  8. patient — a sick person
  9. patient — calm and waiting
  10. charge — electricity
  11. fall — the season
  12. can — a tin
  13. charge — a price
  14. file — a line of people
  15. suit — to fit
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. suit — clothes
  19. fall — to drop
  20. suit — in cards
  21. can — to be able to
  22. fall — to drop
  23. can — a tin
  24. file — a tool

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