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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.

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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: wake · safe · bay · rest · suit · stick · fan · mate

  1. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  2. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  3. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  6. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  7. My mare is ________________ in color.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  10. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  11. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  12. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  19. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  20. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  23. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  24. Have you found your soul ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. mate — a friend
  2. rest — what's left
  3. mate — to breed
  4. suit — in cards
  5. rest — a break
  6. wake — a trail
  7. bay — a horse colour
  8. suit — clothes
  9. bay — to keep at bay
  10. rest — what's left
  11. fan — to cool the air
  12. stick — to attach or keep to
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. suit — to fit
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. wake — before a funeral
  19. wake — to stop sleeping
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. bay — a part of the sea
  24. mate — a partner

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