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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: mug · season · key · rash · wake · safe · sharp · hide

  1. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. Don't do anything ________________.
  3. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  4. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  5. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  6. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  7. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  8. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  9. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  10. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  11. It's one o'clock ________________.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. Did you ________________ the meat?
  16. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  21. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  24. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. rash — hasty
  3. sharp — clever
  4. season — in sport
  5. rash — on the skin
  6. mug — a face
  7. rash — a series
  8. season — of the year
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. wake — before a funeral
  11. sharp — exactly
  12. key — for a lock
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. key — in music
  15. season — to add flavour
  16. wake — to stop sleeping
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. key — the most important part
  19. mug — a cup
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. wake — a trail
  22. mug — to rob
  23. sharp — with an edge
  24. hide — animal skin

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