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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 120 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 tickets are free of ________________.
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. He works in a ________________ mill.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  9. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  12. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  13. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. He is as ________________ as a wolf.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — a price
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. bulb — for light
  4. saw — the tool
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. charge — electricity
  8. firm — a company
  9. charge — in control
  10. can — a tin
  11. lean — to bend
  12. firm — steady
  13. lean — to rest against
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. can — to be able to
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. bulb — for light
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. can — a tin
  21. firm — decided
  22. lie — to recline
  23. saw — the tool
  24. lean — thin

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