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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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  3. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  6. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  7. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  8. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  9. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  10. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. What do you think of the new ________________?
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  16. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  17. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. It's one o'clock ________________.
  20. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  21. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. pit — in a race
  3. hide — to keep secret
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. pit — a fruit stone
  6. sharp — with an edge
  7. fan — to cool the air
  8. snap — to click
  9. sharp — clever
  10. snap — to speak sharply
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. pit — a hole
  16. snap — to snap out of it
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. sharp — exactly
  20. cabinet — a cupboard
  21. hide — animal skin
  22. stand — to bear
  23. stand — on your feet
  24. safe — out of danger

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