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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. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  9. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  10. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  20. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  21. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — decided
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. squash — to crush
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. stem — of a plant
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. squash — the vegetable
  9. bank — for money
  10. firm — a company
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. charge — in control
  14. charge — electricity
  15. bank — of a river
  16. charge — a price
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. squash — the sport
  20. stem — a stem cell
  21. bank — for money
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. stem — to come from
  24. firm — steady

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