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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. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  2. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  3. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  6. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  7. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  12. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  13. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. How do you ________________ your surname?
  16. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  17. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  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. bowl — a football final
  2. spell — a short time
  3. scale — size or range
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. scale — for weighing
  6. fine — a penalty
  7. jam — a tight spot
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. fine — high quality
  11. stick — to attach or keep to
  12. scale — in music
  13. spell — magic
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. spell — letters
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. fine — all right
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. bowl — to roll
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  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