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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. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  5. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  6. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  9. That was ________________ to happen.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. The King held a masked ________________.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  16. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  20. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  24. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?

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

Answer key

  1. hand — part of the body
  2. bound — tied together
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. bound — obliged
  5. racket — a loud noise
  6. hand — in cards
  7. suit — clothes
  8. ball — a great time
  9. bound — certain
  10. suit — to fit
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. ball — a dance
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. deal — a big deal
  16. racket — for tennis
  17. suit — in cards
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. deal — to handle
  20. hand — help
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. racket — for tennis
  24. fan — a supporter

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