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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. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  4. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  5. My father caught me by the ________________.
  6. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  7. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  8. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  9. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  12. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  15. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  16. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  17. The King held a masked ________________.
  18. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  21. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. My mare is ________________ in color.
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. arm — a part of something
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. toast — bread
  4. arm — part of the body
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. ball — a round shape
  8. wound — an injury
  9. bank — for money
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. bank — of a river
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. wound — an injury
  15. bank — for money
  16. toast — the most admired
  17. ball — a dance
  18. bay — a part of the sea
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. stick — to attach or keep to
  21. wound — past of 'wind'
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. bay — a horse colour
  24. ball — a great time

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