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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. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  2. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  3. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  4. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  5. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  6. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  7. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  13. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  14. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. I can't ________________ this cold.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. When was this ________________ built?
  20. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  21. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  22. How do you ________________ your surname?
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.

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

Answer key

  1. shower — a meteor shower
  2. craft — boats
  3. lean — to bend
  4. stand — on your feet
  5. spell — magic
  6. shower — rain
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. bay — to keep at bay
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. craft — a skill
  13. shower — to wash
  14. temple — side of the head
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. stand — to bear
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. spell — a short time
  21. lean — to rest against
  22. spell — letters
  23. lean — thin
  24. craft — a handicraft

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