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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 ball hit the back of the ________________.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  11. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  12. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  16. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  17. How do you ________________ your surname?
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  20. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  21. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  22. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  23. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. net — in sport
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. spell — magic
  4. charge — electricity
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. plane — a tool
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. net — after costs
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. cap — a hat
  11. cap — of ice
  12. bear — the animal
  13. charge — a price
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. plane — in geometry
  16. net — for catching
  17. spell — letters
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. charge — in control
  20. bear — the animal
  21. bear — to put up with
  22. spell — a short time
  23. cap — a lid
  24. toast — bread

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