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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.

Make a worksheet

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: coach · pitcher · jam · lash · arm · safe · wax · wave

  1. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  4. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  5. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  6. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  7. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  8. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  9. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  13. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  14. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  15. Have you met the new head ________________?
  16. He is an ace ________________.
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  24. My father caught me by the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — a jug
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. wave — of the sea
  4. wax — in the ear
  5. wave — with your hand
  6. jam — to spread on bread
  7. wax — to grow
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. lash — to lash out
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. arm — a part of something
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. wax — for sculpting
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. pitcher — in baseball
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. jam — a tight spot
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. wave — a sudden rise
  24. arm — part of the body

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