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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. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  2. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  3. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  4. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  5. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  6. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  7. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  14. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  15. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  18. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  19. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  20. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  21. That was ________________ to happen.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. object — a thing
  2. object — an aim
  3. track — a song
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. pit — a hole
  6. bound — tied together
  7. mine — an explosive
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. bound — obliged
  13. cabinet — a cupboard
  14. object — to protest
  15. pit — in a race
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. track — a path
  18. mine — belonging to me
  19. mine — for digging
  20. pit — a fruit stone
  21. bound — certain
  22. rush — hurry
  23. track — to keep track
  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