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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. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  2. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  3. Have you found your soul ________________?
  4. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  5. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  6. The light ________________ burned out.
  7. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  14. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  15. I've got to change the light ________________.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  18. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  19. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  22. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  23. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  24. My father caught me by the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mate — a friend
  2. firm — decided
  3. mate — a partner
  4. firm — steady
  5. mate — to breed
  6. bulb — for light
  7. rush — hurry
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. arm — a part of something
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. vault — an arched ceiling
  14. vault — in gymnastics
  15. bulb — for light
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. vault — a safe
  18. wake — before a funeral
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. wake — to stop sleeping
  22. wake — a trail
  23. firm — a company
  24. arm — part of the body

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