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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. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  2. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  7. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. That was ________________ to happen.
  12. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  13. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  14. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  15. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  16. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  17. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  18. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  19. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  23. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. wax — in the ear
  2. pit — in a race
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. bank — for money
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. hide — animal skin
  7. bound — tied together
  8. can — a tin
  9. track — a path
  10. can — a tin
  11. bound — certain
  12. track — a song
  13. bank — of a river
  14. wax — to grow
  15. wax — for sculpting
  16. pit — a hole
  17. bank — for money
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. bound — obliged
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. track — to keep track
  23. pit — a fruit stone
  24. can — to be able 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