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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. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  5. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  8. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  9. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. I can't ________________ this cold.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  15. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  19. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — to handle
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. mark — a grade
  4. deal — a big deal
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. jam — to spread on bread
  9. charge — electricity
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. stand — to bear
  13. charge — a price
  14. field — farmland
  15. deal — an agreement
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. field — a subject
  19. stick — to attach or keep to
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. mark — a trace
  23. charge — in control
  24. field — for sport

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