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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. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  4. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. Have you met the new head ________________?
  10. It's one o'clock ________________.
  11. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  12. That was a fun ________________.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  18. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  19. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  20. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  23. My mare is ________________ in color.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. game — a kind of play
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. coach — pulled by horses
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. stand — to bear
  6. stand — on your feet
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. mark — a trace
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. sharp — exactly
  11. sharp — clever
  12. game — a match
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. stand — for spectators
  18. bay — a part of the sea
  19. game — wild animals
  20. mark — a grade
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. sharp — with an edge
  23. bay — a horse colour
  24. leaves — lets stay

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