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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. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  12. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. It's one o'clock ________________.
  17. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  18. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  19. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  20. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  21. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  22. That was ________________ to happen.
  23. What do you think of the new ________________?
  24. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. prune — the fruit
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. sharp — clever
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. bound — obliged
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. bulb — for light
  10. bulb — for light
  11. bowl — to roll
  12. sharp — with an edge
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. sharp — exactly
  17. bowl — a dish
  18. prune — to trim
  19. prune — to trim
  20. bound — tied together
  21. jam — to spread on bread
  22. bound — certain
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. bowl — a football final

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