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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. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  2. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  3. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  4. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  5. Have you found your soul ________________?
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  14. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  17. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. Have you met the new head ________________?
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. mine — belonging to me
  2. mate — to breed
  3. coach — pulled by horses
  4. mine — for digging
  5. mate — a partner
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. bank — for money
  8. pass — a permit
  9. cue — a hint
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. cue — a signal
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. bank — of a river
  14. toast — bread
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. mate — a friend
  17. mine — an explosive
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. cue — for pool
  22. bank — for money
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. pass — to succeed

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