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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: jam · object · pitcher · row · coach · bay · craft · safe

  1. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  2. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  3. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  4. He is an ace ________________.
  5. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  8. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  9. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  10. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  11. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  12. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  13. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  14. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  19. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Have you met the new head ________________?
  24. Fill up this ________________ with water.

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — a jug
  2. craft — a handicraft
  3. object — an aim
  4. pitcher — in baseball
  5. row — a quarrel
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. object — a thing
  8. bay — a part of the sea
  9. jam — in traffic
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. bay — to keep at bay
  12. row — to paddle
  13. row — a line
  14. craft — boats
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. craft — a skill
  19. object — to protest
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. coach — pulled by horses
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. pitcher — a jug

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