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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 116 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: leaves · wax · hide · wound · dip · object · pitcher · safe

  1. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  2. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  3. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  10. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  11. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  15. He is an ace ________________.
  16. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  17. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  22. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  23. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. wax — for sculpting
  2. hide — animal skin
  3. wound — past of 'wind'
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. object — an aim
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. wound — an injury
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. object — a thing
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. pitcher — a jug
  12. object — to protest
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. wax — to grow
  15. pitcher — in baseball
  16. dip — to dunk
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. dip — a sauce
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. dip — to sink
  22. wound — an injury
  23. wax — in the ear
  24. leaves — lets stay

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