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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  5. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  6. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. Have you found your soul ________________?
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  24. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. charge — electricity
  3. mug — to rob
  4. craft — a handicraft
  5. charge — in control
  6. stem — to come from
  7. can — a tin
  8. mark — a grade
  9. stem — a stem cell
  10. can — to be able to
  11. craft — a skill
  12. mug — a face
  13. mark — a trace
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. can — a tin
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. craft — boats
  18. mug — a cup
  19. mate — to breed
  20. charge — a price
  21. mate — a partner
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. mate — a friend
  24. stem — of a plant

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