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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. I can't ________________ this cold.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. We're on a ________________ here.
  13. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  14. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  15. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  21. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. mug — a cup
  3. stand — to bear
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. face — to point toward
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. bank — for money
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. roll — on a roll
  13. deal — a big deal
  14. face — to confront
  15. bank — of a river
  16. mug — to rob
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. face — part of the head
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. roll — a cake
  21. roll — a list
  22. bank — for money
  23. deal — to handle
  24. mug — a face

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