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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  3. That was ________________ to happen.
  4. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  5. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  6. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  7. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  12. The ________________ market has crashed.
  13. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  14. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  15. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  16. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  17. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  18. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  19. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  20. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  21. It's one o'clock ________________.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  24. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. bound — obliged
  3. bound — certain
  4. sharp — with an edge
  5. bay — a part of the sea
  6. lash — to lash out
  7. craft — boats
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. firm — a company
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. sharp — clever
  12. stock — shares
  13. lash — an eyelash
  14. bass — the instrument
  15. stock — a soup base
  16. craft — a skill
  17. bass — low music
  18. bass — the fish
  19. firm — steady
  20. stock — goods
  21. sharp — exactly
  22. bound — tied together
  23. firm — decided
  24. craft — a handicraft

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