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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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  3. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  4. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  5. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  6. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. The King held a masked ________________.
  10. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  11. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. My mare is ________________ in color.
  14. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  15. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  16. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  21. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  24. That was ________________ to happen.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. bound — obliged
  4. ball — a great time
  5. net — in sport
  6. bay — to keep at bay
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. ball — a dance
  10. bay — a part of the sea
  11. net — after costs
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. bay — a horse colour
  14. net — for catching
  15. perch — the fish
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. rush — hurry
  20. bound — tied together
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. perch — for a bird
  24. bound — certain

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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