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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: rash · mouse · spell · coach · safe · fine · fork · wax

  1. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  2. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  3. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  4. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  5. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  8. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  9. Don't do anything ________________.
  10. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  11. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  12. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  13. How do you ________________ your surname?
  14. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  19. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. Have you met the new head ________________?
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — for a computer
  2. wax — for sculpting
  3. fork — a garden tool
  4. fork — in a road
  5. coach — pulled by horses
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. rash — hasty
  10. spell — magic
  11. rash — a series
  12. wax — to grow
  13. spell — letters
  14. fine — a penalty
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. wax — in the ear
  17. fine — high quality
  18. spell — a short time
  19. rash — on the skin
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. fork — to eat with
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. fine — all right

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