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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: kick · bass · can · bear · cabinet · bowl · safe · season

  1. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  4. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  7. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  8. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. Did you ________________ the meat?
  11. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  14. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  17. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  18. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  24. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. bear — to put up with
  4. season — of the year
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. bowl — to roll
  7. bass — the instrument
  8. kick — a thrill
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. season — to add flavour
  11. kick — in football
  12. can — to be able to
  13. bass — the fish
  14. bowl — a football final
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. kick — with a leg
  17. bowl — a dish
  18. bear — the animal
  19. can — a tin
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. can — a tin
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. season — in sport
  24. bass — low music

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