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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. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. How do you ________________ your surname?
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  9. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  12. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  13. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  14. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  15. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — magic
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. spell — letters
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. lie — to recline
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. plane — in geometry
  9. spell — a short time
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. firm — decided
  12. plane — a tool
  13. mark — a trace
  14. jam — in traffic
  15. firm — steady
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. mark — a grade
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. firm — a company
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. foot — part of the body
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. foot — a measure

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