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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: present · can · safe · hand · game · scale · bound · rock

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  4. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. That was ________________ to happen.
  7. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  10. That was a fun ________________.
  11. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  12. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  13. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  14. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  24. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. rock — a stone
  3. present — the time now
  4. game — a kind of play
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. bound — certain
  7. scale — size or range
  8. can — to be able to
  9. bound — tied together
  10. game — a match
  11. scale — for weighing
  12. present — there
  13. hand — in cards
  14. hand — part of the body
  15. rock — music
  16. can — a tin
  17. hand — help
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. rock — to move gently
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. bound — obliged
  22. can — a tin
  23. present — a gift
  24. game — wild animals

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