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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 116 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 has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  7. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  8. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. The King held a masked ________________.
  11. I'll be taking the ________________.
  12. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  19. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  20. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  21. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  22. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. pound — a weight
  4. can — to be able to
  5. can — a tin
  6. ball — a great time
  7. tube — a container
  8. board — to get on
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. ball — a dance
  11. tube — the underground
  12. board — a committee
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. squash — the vegetable
  15. can — a tin
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. squash — to crush
  19. squash — the sport
  20. tube — in a tire
  21. pound — for dogs
  22. pound — to hit hard
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. safe — out of danger

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