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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
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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 · lie · bowl · cabinet · mark · safe · rush · jam

  1. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. That must've been a ________________.
  4. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  8. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  18. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  19. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. rush — a thrill
  4. mark — to pay attention
  5. lie — to recline
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. jam — a tight spot
  8. deal — an agreement
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. rush — hurry
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. deal — a big deal
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. bowl — a football final
  18. jam — in traffic
  19. bowl — a dish
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. cabinet — a cupboard
  22. mark — a grade
  23. deal — to handle
  24. bowl — to roll

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