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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  7. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  8. Have you found your soul ________________?
  9. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  10. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. My mare is ________________ in color.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  15. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  19. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  20. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  21. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  24. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. staff — employees
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. staff — employees
  7. mate — to breed
  8. mate — a partner
  9. prune — to trim
  10. prune — to trim
  11. charge — a price
  12. bay — a horse colour
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. prune — the fruit
  15. jam — in traffic
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. charge — in control
  18. plane — in geometry
  19. bay — a part of the sea
  20. mate — a friend
  21. staff — a stick
  22. charge — electricity
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  24. plane — a tool

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