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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 120 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. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. We're almost out of ________________.
  6. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  9. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  10. That was ________________ to happen.
  11. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  16. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  17. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  20. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  21. You don't need to ________________ round.
  22. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  23. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  24. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. foot — a measure
  3. can — a tin
  4. can — to be able to
  5. pop — soda
  6. bound — obliged
  7. can — a tin
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. pop — music
  10. bound — certain
  11. hide — animal skin
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. bound — tied together
  16. content — videos and posts
  17. mouse — for a computer
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. content — the amount
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. pop — to visit
  22. foot — the bottom
  23. foot — part of the body
  24. content — happy

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