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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. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  2. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  5. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  6. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. Have you met the new head ________________?
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. Did you ________________ the meat?
  15. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  16. My father caught me by the ________________.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  19. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  20. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  21. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  22. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. Have you found your soul ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. craft — a handicraft
  2. mate — a friend
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. arm — a part of something
  5. craft — a skill
  6. key — for a lock
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. key — the most important part
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. mug — to rob
  12. season — in sport
  13. key — in music
  14. season — to add flavour
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. mug — a cup
  18. coach — pulled by horses
  19. mate — to breed
  20. craft — boats
  21. arm — part of the body
  22. season — of the year
  23. mug — a face
  24. mate — a partner

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