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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. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  2. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  5. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  6. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  13. The ________________ went through the wall.
  14. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  15. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  18. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  19. That was ________________ to happen.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  22. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  23. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. trunk — of a tree
  2. nail — on a finger
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. bay — a part of the sea
  5. charge — in control
  6. bay — to keep at bay
  7. can — a tin
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. can — a tin
  10. charge — electricity
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. capital — a big letter
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. bound — obliged
  15. capital — money
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. capital — a city
  19. bound — certain
  20. charge — a price
  21. trunk — of a car
  22. trunk — of an elephant
  23. bound — tied together
  24. can — to be able to

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