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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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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: deal · mug · safe · bear · toast · jam · wax · court

  1. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  4. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  8. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  9. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  10. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  11. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  14. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  15. The ball is in your ________________.
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. Where did you ________________ them?
  18. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  21. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  22. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. court — of law
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. jam — to spread on bread
  4. court — of a king
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. wax — for sculpting
  8. toast — the most admired
  9. mug — a face
  10. deal — a big deal
  11. wax — to grow
  12. mug — a cup
  13. jam — a tight spot
  14. bear — the animal
  15. court — for sport
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. mug — to rob
  18. deal — to handle
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. bear — the animal
  21. wax — in the ear
  22. bear — to put up with
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. toast — bread

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