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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: dip · board · last · wave · safe · toast · rash · net

  1. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  2. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  3. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  4. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  7. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  8. False peace will not ________________.
  9. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  10. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  11. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  12. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  13. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  14. Don't do anything ________________.
  15. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  18. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.

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

Answer key

  1. net — in sport
  2. wave — with your hand
  3. net — for catching
  4. board — a committee
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. wave — of the sea
  7. last — finally
  8. last — to go on
  9. toast — bread
  10. rash — on the skin
  11. dip — to dunk
  12. last — final
  13. dip — a sauce
  14. rash — hasty
  15. rash — a series
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. net — after costs
  18. toast — the most admired
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. wave — a sudden rise
  21. board — to get on
  22. board — a flat piece
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. dip — to sink

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