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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. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  2. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  5. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. That must've been a ________________.
  16. That was a fun ________________.
  17. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. club — for golf
  2. game — wild animals
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. game — a kind of play
  5. deal — to handle
  6. can — to be able to
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. suit — to fit
  9. club — for dancing
  10. rush — hurry
  11. hide — animal skin
  12. suit — in cards
  13. can — a tin
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. rush — a thrill
  16. game — a match
  17. club — a group
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. suit — clothes
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. can — a tin
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. deal — an agreement

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