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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. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  8. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  9. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  18. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. That was ________________ to happen.
  21. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  22. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — to handle
  2. race — the arms race
  3. suit — to fit
  4. race — humankind
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. bound — tied together
  8. deal — an agreement
  9. object — to protest
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. can — a tin
  13. suit — clothes
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. suit — in cards
  16. can — to be able to
  17. object — an aim
  18. bound — obliged
  19. can — a tin
  20. bound — certain
  21. race — a contest
  22. temple — side of the head
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. object — a thing

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