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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 ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. The King held a masked ________________.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  9. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  10. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  11. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. She's very handy with a ________________.
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. He works in a ________________ mill.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  21. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  24. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. ball — a dance
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. wound — an injury
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. lie — to recline
  8. ball — a great time
  9. jam — in traffic
  10. wound — past of 'wind'
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. saw — the tool
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. saw — the tool
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. can — to be able to
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. can — a tin
  20. racket — a loud noise
  21. ball — a round shape
  22. can — a tin
  23. racket — for tennis
  24. wound — an injury

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