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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  5. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  6. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  7. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  11. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  12. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  13. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  14. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  19. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  20. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  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. safe — out of danger
  2. pitch — completely
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. bank — of a river
  5. staff — employees
  6. bank — for money
  7. staff — employees
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. bank — for money
  11. pitch — a sports field
  12. staff — a stick
  13. wax — for sculpting
  14. wax — to grow
  15. rock — a stone
  16. prune — to trim
  17. rush — hurry
  18. prune — to trim
  19. pitch — a sales talk
  20. prune — the fruit
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. rock — music
  23. wax — in the ear
  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