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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. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  3. That must've been a ________________.
  4. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  5. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  15. When was this ________________ built?
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  22. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. Tom got himself in a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. rule — a law
  3. rush — a thrill
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. rule — government
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. can — a tin
  14. rush — hurry
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. fine — all right
  19. fine — high quality
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. rule — to rule out
  22. jam — in traffic
  23. can — to be able to
  24. jam — a tight spot

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