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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: drill · suit · staff · safe · pass · ground · rash · rush

  1. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  4. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  5. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  6. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  11. Don't do anything ________________.
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. There's no middle ________________.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  18. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  19. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  20. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. drill — the tool
  4. staff — employees
  5. drill — a practice
  6. ground — the earth
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. staff — a stick
  9. suit — in cards
  10. drill — army training
  11. rash — hasty
  12. pass — a permit
  13. ground — a position
  14. suit — to fit
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. rush — hurry
  17. ground — crushed
  18. rash — a series
  19. staff — employees
  20. rash — on the skin
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. suit — clothes

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