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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. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  5. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  6. When are we going to ________________?
  7. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  11. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  12. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  13. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  14. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  21. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — to pay attention
  2. can — to be able to
  3. mark — a trace
  4. mark — a grade
  5. hide — to keep secret
  6. land — to come down
  7. ball — a great time
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. hide — animal skin
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. land — a country
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. can — a tin
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. can — a tin
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. ball — a dance
  20. ball — a round shape
  21. land — ground
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. stick — to attach or keep to

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