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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. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  9. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  16. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  17. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.

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

Answer key

  1. object — an aim
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. racket — for tennis
  5. can — a tin
  6. racket — for tennis
  7. can — to be able to
  8. fan — to cool the air
  9. bat — the animal
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. suit — to fit
  12. can — a tin
  13. racket — a loud noise
  14. suit — in cards
  15. object — to protest
  16. object — a thing
  17. bat — for baseball
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. suit — clothes
  21. deal — to handle
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. bat — in an idiom

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