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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. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  4. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  5. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  6. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. Have you found your soul ________________?
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  19. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  20. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  21. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  22. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  23. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  24. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. foot — a measure
  4. toast — the most admired
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. squash — the vegetable
  7. suit — in cards
  8. fine — all right
  9. suit — to fit
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. mate — a partner
  12. suit — clothes
  13. toast — bread
  14. squash — the sport
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. fine — high quality
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. foot — the bottom
  19. stick — to attach or keep to
  20. toast — a drink to someone
  21. squash — to crush
  22. mate — to breed
  23. foot — part of the body
  24. mate — a friend

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