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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. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  6. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  7. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  8. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  9. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  10. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  15. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  19. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  20. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  24. What do you think of the new ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. root — of a word
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. rest — a break
  6. march — the month
  7. leaves — to go away
  8. rest — what's left
  9. march — the month
  10. root — the cause
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. foot — a measure
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. rest — what's left
  15. foot — part of the body
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. charge — a price
  18. foot — the bottom
  19. charge — in control
  20. march — music
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. charge — electricity
  23. root — of a plant
  24. cabinet — ministers

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