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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. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  3. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  4. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  7. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  12. Have you met the new head ________________?
  13. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  14. It's one o'clock ________________.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  20. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  21. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Can you turn the ________________ on?

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. fine — high quality
  3. fan — a supporter
  4. fine — a penalty
  5. suit — in cards
  6. sharp — with an edge
  7. coach — pulled by horses
  8. fine — all right
  9. charge — a price
  10. suit — to fit
  11. content — videos and posts
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. content — the amount
  14. sharp — exactly
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. content — happy
  17. charge — in control
  18. suit — clothes
  19. sharp — clever
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. charge — electricity
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. fan — to cool the air

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