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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. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  5. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  6. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  7. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  8. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  13. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  14. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  15. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  19. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. The ________________ took off on time.
  22. My mare is ________________ in color.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.

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

Answer key

  1. wound — past of 'wind'
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. mine — an explosive
  5. straw — dry grass
  6. bay — a part of the sea
  7. cue — a signal
  8. wound — an injury
  9. plane — a tool
  10. wound — an injury
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. straw — to clutch at straws
  13. straw — a straw man
  14. cue — a hint
  15. cue — for pool
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. mark — a grade
  18. mark — a trace
  19. mine — for digging
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. plane — an aircraft
  22. bay — a horse colour
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. mine — belonging to me

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