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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. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  2. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. Have you settled on a ________________?
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  14. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  20. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  21. That was a fun ________________.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  24. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.

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

Answer key

  1. date — on the calendar
  2. game — wild animals
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. mug — to rob
  6. toast — bread
  7. date — on the calendar
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. chip — for betting
  11. rock — a stone
  12. mug — a face
  13. chip — in a computer
  14. game — a kind of play
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. date — the fruit
  17. mug — a cup
  18. rock — music
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. chip — to eat
  21. game — a match
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. toast — a drink to someone
  24. stick — to attach or keep 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