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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. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  3. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  12. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  16. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  17. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  18. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  19. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  22. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  23. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. vault — a safe
  3. rush — hurry
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. pit — a fruit stone
  12. deal — to handle
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. pit — a hole
  16. shower — to wash
  17. deal — a big deal
  18. shower — a meteor shower
  19. pit — in a race
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. vault — in gymnastics
  22. vault — an arched ceiling
  23. shower — rain
  24. safe — out of danger

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