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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 · pass · perch · rush · charge · safe · ball · racket

  1. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  6. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  7. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  8. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  9. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  10. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  11. The King held a masked ________________.
  12. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  22. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  23. That was ________________ to happen.
  24. He hit the ball with his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. pass — to succeed
  6. perch — for a bird
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. racket — a loud noise
  9. charge — in control
  10. perch — the fish
  11. ball — a dance
  12. bound — tied together
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. rush — hurry
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. charge — a price
  18. charge — electricity
  19. bound — obliged
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. ball — a great time
  22. perch — for a bird
  23. bound — certain
  24. racket — for tennis

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