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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 120 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. That was ________________ to happen.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  5. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  6. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  7. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. My mare is ________________ in color.
  10. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  11. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  12. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  13. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  14. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  15. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  16. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  17. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  18. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  19. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  22. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  23. My father caught me by the ________________.
  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. bound — certain
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. rest — a break
  5. bass — the instrument
  6. bass — low music
  7. plane — in geometry
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. bay — a horse colour
  10. rest — what's left
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. rest — what's left
  13. arm — a part of something
  14. bound — obliged
  15. bound — tied together
  16. plane — a tool
  17. wave — of the sea
  18. bass — the fish
  19. bay — a part of the sea
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. wave — a sudden rise
  22. wave — with your hand
  23. arm — part of the body
  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