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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. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  8. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  9. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  10. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. I'll be taking the ________________.
  17. How do you ________________ your surname?
  18. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  19. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  22. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  23. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. scale — size or range
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. can — a tin
  7. scale — in music
  8. spell — magic
  9. tube — a container
  10. deal — to handle
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. tube — in a tire
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. pitch — a sports field
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. tube — the underground
  17. spell — letters
  18. scale — for weighing
  19. pitch — a sales talk
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. spell — a short time
  22. pitch — completely
  23. deal — a big deal
  24. can — to be able to

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