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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 116 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. The King held a masked ________________.
  2. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  3. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  4. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  11. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  12. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  13. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. The ________________ went through the wall.
  18. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  19. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  20. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  21. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  22. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  23. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a dance
  2. bowl — to roll
  3. fine — high quality
  4. bore — to tire
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. can — a tin
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. can — a tin
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. ball — a great time
  12. nail — on a finger
  13. ball — a round shape
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. bore — gave birth
  16. can — to be able to
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. bowl — a dish
  19. bore — to drill
  20. bowl — a football final
  21. firm — a company
  22. firm — decided
  23. firm — steady
  24. fine — all right

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