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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. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  2. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  3. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  4. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  5. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  6. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  7. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  8. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  9. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  10. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  16. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  17. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. How do you ________________ your surname?
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. Don't do anything ________________.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. fork — in a road
  2. staff — employees
  3. fork — to eat with
  4. deal — to handle
  5. deal — an agreement
  6. fork — a garden tool
  7. spell — a short time
  8. staff — employees
  9. rash — a series
  10. spell — magic
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. bowl — to roll
  13. pass — a permit
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. staff — a stick
  16. rash — on the skin
  17. bowl — a football final
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. spell — letters
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. rash — hasty
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. bowl — a dish

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