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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. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  10. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. He works in a ________________ mill.
  13. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  14. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  15. It's one o'clock ________________.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  19. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. Have you settled on a ________________?
  22. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — with an edge
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. suit — to fit
  4. dip — to dunk
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. date — on the calendar
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. sharp — clever
  10. date — the fruit
  11. suit — in cards
  12. saw — the tool
  13. dip — to sink
  14. dip — a sauce
  15. sharp — exactly
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. track — a song
  19. track — a path
  20. rush — hurry
  21. date — on the calendar
  22. track — to keep track
  23. saw — the tool
  24. suit — clothes

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