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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.

Words on the sheet
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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: pit · can · bound · safe · fan · root · suit · dip

  1. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  8. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  9. That was ________________ to happen.
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  12. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  23. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  24. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?

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

Answer key

  1. pit — a hole
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. pit — a fruit stone
  4. can — a tin
  5. can — to be able to
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. dip — to dunk
  8. pit — in a race
  9. bound — certain
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. root — of a word
  12. bound — tied together
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. suit — clothes
  15. suit — in cards
  16. root — the cause
  17. suit — to fit
  18. dip — a sauce
  19. can — a tin
  20. dip — to sink
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. bound — obliged
  23. root — of a plant
  24. fan — a supporter

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