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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. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  4. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  7. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  19. My mare is ________________ in color.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  22. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  23. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. rock — a stone
  3. wake — to stop sleeping
  4. lean — to bend
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. lean — to rest against
  7. trunk — of an elephant
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. lean — thin
  10. suit — clothes
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. deal — to handle
  13. suit — in cards
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. rock — music
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. wake — a trail
  19. bay — a horse colour
  20. suit — to fit
  21. wake — before a funeral
  22. trunk — of a tree
  23. trunk — of a car
  24. deal — an agreement

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