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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: bound · lean · game · ball · stand · safe · mug · fine

  1. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  2. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  4. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  7. That was ________________ to happen.
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. That was a fun ________________.
  16. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  17. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  20. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. game — wild animals
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. lean — to rest against
  4. bound — obliged
  5. mug — a cup
  6. fine — a penalty
  7. bound — certain
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. fine — all right
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. mug — a face
  12. game — a kind of play
  13. stand — to bear
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. game — a match
  16. lean — to bend
  17. bound — tied together
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. ball — a round shape
  20. ball — a great time
  21. ball — a dance
  22. lean — thin
  23. mug — to rob
  24. fine — high quality

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