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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 goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  2. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  3. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  4. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. Did you ________________ the meat?
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  10. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  16. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. The ________________ went through the wall.
  23. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  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. straw — dry grass
  2. straw — a straw man
  3. straw — to clutch at straws
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. mark — a grade
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. season — to add flavour
  8. can — a tin
  9. season — of the year
  10. nail — on a finger
  11. can — to be able to
  12. mark — a trace
  13. deal — to handle
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. ball — a round shape
  16. ball — a great time
  17. can — a tin
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. ball — a dance
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. season — in sport
  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