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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: jam · shower · sharp · bowl · safe · pit · season · stand

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. Did you ________________ the meat?
  5. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  6. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  7. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. I can't ________________ this cold.
  10. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  13. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  14. It's one o'clock ________________.
  15. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  16. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  17. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  20. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  21. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  24. Tom got himself in a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. sharp — clever
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. season — to add flavour
  5. season — of the year
  6. stand — on your feet
  7. bowl — to roll
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. stand — to bear
  10. bowl — a dish
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. shower — to wash
  13. shower — rain
  14. sharp — exactly
  15. bowl — a football final
  16. pit — a fruit stone
  17. shower — a meteor shower
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. pit — in a race
  20. pit — a hole
  21. season — in sport
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. sharp — with an edge
  24. jam — a tight spot

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