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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. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  2. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  5. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  6. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  9. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  13. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  14. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  15. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  18. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. He is an ace ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. staff — employees
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. staff — employees
  5. pitcher — a jug
  6. bowl — a football final
  7. suit — to fit
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. bowl — a dish
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. suit — in cards
  12. bank — for money
  13. staff — a stick
  14. bowl — to roll
  15. bank — for money
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. lash — an eyelash
  18. bank — of a river
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. suit — clothes
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. pitcher — in baseball

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