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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
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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: pass · rash · safe · calf · wax · saw · spell · fine

  1. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  12. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  13. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  16. He works in a ________________ mill.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. How do you ________________ your surname?
  21. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  22. Don't do anything ________________.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. pass — to succeed
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. spell — a short time
  8. fine — all right
  9. saw — past of 'see'
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. spell — magic
  12. fine — high quality
  13. wax — in the ear
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. rash — on the skin
  16. saw — the tool
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. pass — a permit
  20. spell — letters
  21. wax — to grow
  22. rash — hasty
  23. saw — the tool
  24. wax — for sculpting

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