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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. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  5. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  6. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  14. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  15. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  16. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  17. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. The tickets are free of ________________.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. deal — to handle
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. wake — a trail
  5. wax — for sculpting
  6. vault — in gymnastics
  7. can — to be able to
  8. vault — an arched ceiling
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. wake — to stop sleeping
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. can — a tin
  13. wax — in the ear
  14. charge — in control
  15. wax — to grow
  16. wake — before a funeral
  17. deal — an agreement
  18. rock — music
  19. charge — a price
  20. can — a tin
  21. vault — a safe
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. rock — a stone
  24. charge — electricity

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