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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  3. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  4. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  7. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  13. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  21. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  22. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  23. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. band — a rubber band
  3. net — in sport
  4. wax — in the ear
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. wax — for sculpting
  7. toast — bread
  8. current — electric
  9. wax — to grow
  10. suit — in cards
  11. current — happening now
  12. net — for catching
  13. band — a music group
  14. suit — to fit
  15. fine — high quality
  16. fine — all right
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. suit — clothes
  20. toast — a drink to someone
  21. band — a ring
  22. net — after costs
  23. toast — the most admired
  24. current — of water

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