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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 120 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. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  3. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  4. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  5. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  6. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  15. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  16. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  17. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. That was ________________ to happen.
  20. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  21. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  24. The tickets are free of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — a penalty
  2. rule — a law
  3. charge — electricity
  4. mark — a trace
  5. hide — to keep secret
  6. spring — of water
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. charge — in control
  9. fine — high quality
  10. mark — a grade
  11. bound — tied together
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. rule — to rule out
  15. spring — a coil
  16. bound — obliged
  17. spring — the season
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. bound — certain
  20. hide — animal skin
  21. rule — government
  22. fine — all right
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. charge — a price

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