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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.

Make a worksheet

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
468
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: mug · racket · safe · chip · row · squash · mouse · bound

  1. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  4. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  5. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  6. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  14. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  17. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  18. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  19. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  20. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  21. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  22. That was ________________ to happen.
  23. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — to crush
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. row — a quarrel
  4. row — to paddle
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. squash — the sport
  7. bound — obliged
  8. mouse — for a computer
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. mug — a cup
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. mug — to rob
  13. chip — in a computer
  14. chip — to eat
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. squash — the vegetable
  17. chip — for betting
  18. racket — a loud noise
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. row — a line
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. bound — certain
  23. bound — tied together
  24. mug — a face

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