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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. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  4. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  7. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  8. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  9. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. Don't do anything ________________.
  13. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  14. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  15. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  16. She's very handy with a ________________.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  19. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  20. He works in a ________________ mill.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. band — a rubber band
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. toast — bread
  4. chip — for betting
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. firm — decided
  7. rash — on the skin
  8. chip — in a computer
  9. firm — steady
  10. suit — clothes
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. rash — hasty
  13. chip — to eat
  14. band — a ring
  15. toast — a drink to someone
  16. saw — the tool
  17. suit — in cards
  18. band — a music group
  19. firm — a company
  20. saw — the tool
  21. suit — to fit
  22. rash — a series
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. safe — out of danger

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