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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. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  2. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  14. Did you ________________ the button?
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  19. That was ________________ to happen.
  20. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  21. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — tied together
  2. fine — all right
  3. press — newspapers
  4. bound — obliged
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. vault — an arched ceiling
  7. can — a tin
  8. fine — high quality
  9. vault — in gymnastics
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. wax — in the ear
  12. object — to protest
  13. vault — a safe
  14. press — to push
  15. can — to be able to
  16. wax — to grow
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. wax — for sculpting
  19. bound — certain
  20. press — a publisher
  21. object — a thing
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. can — a tin
  24. object — an aim

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