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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. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  3. That was a fun ________________.
  4. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. The ________________ went through the wall.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  9. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  10. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. That was ________________ to happen.
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  18. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  21. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  24. The spa offers ________________ extensions.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. nail — on a finger
  3. game — a match
  4. rock — music
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. suit — clothes
  8. bound — obliged
  9. scale — in music
  10. game — a kind of play
  11. bound — tied together
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. suit — to fit
  14. bound — certain
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. suit — in cards
  17. lash — a whip stroke
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. game — wild animals
  21. scale — for weighing
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. scale — size or range
  24. lash — an eyelash

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