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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
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: face · stock · bear · content · safe · arm · suit · charge

  1. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  2. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. The ________________ market has crashed.
  5. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  6. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  7. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  8. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  11. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. My father caught me by the ________________.
  15. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  19. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  20. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  24. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. charge — electricity
  3. suit — in cards
  4. stock — shares
  5. arm — a part of something
  6. content — videos and posts
  7. stock — a soup base
  8. content — happy
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. face — to point toward
  11. stock — goods
  12. suit — to fit
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. arm — part of the body
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. suit — clothes
  17. charge — a price
  18. face — part of the head
  19. content — the amount
  20. bear — to put up with
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. charge — in control
  23. face — to confront
  24. bear — the animal

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