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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. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. We're almost out of ________________.
  4. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  5. You don't need to ________________ round.
  6. What do you think of the new ________________?
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  9. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  10. That must've been a ________________.
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  14. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  20. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  23. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  24. The players ran onto the football ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. pop — soda
  4. pop — music
  5. pop — to visit
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. fine — a penalty
  10. rush — a thrill
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. pitch — a sales talk
  14. fine — all right
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. rush — hurry
  19. rush — to hurry
  20. fine — high quality
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. lie — to recline
  23. pitch — completely
  24. pitch — a sports field

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