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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. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  9. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  10. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  11. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  14. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  19. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. False peace will not ________________.
  23. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  24. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. pit — a hole
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. object — an aim
  10. last — finally
  11. perch — the fish
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. last — final
  14. pit — in a race
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. object — a thing
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. object — to protest
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. last — to go on
  23. pit — a fruit stone
  24. deal — to handle

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