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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: sharp · plane · stand · safe · mouse · craft · cabinet · straw

  1. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. What do you think of the new ________________?
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. I can't ________________ this cold.
  11. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  12. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  13. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  14. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  15. The ________________ took off on time.
  16. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  17. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  18. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  21. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  22. It's one o'clock ________________.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. sharp — with an edge
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. straw — to clutch at straws
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. stand — to bear
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. stand — for spectators
  13. sharp — clever
  14. craft — boats
  15. plane — an aircraft
  16. straw — dry grass
  17. craft — a skill
  18. craft — a handicraft
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. stand — on your feet
  21. straw — a straw man
  22. sharp — exactly
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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