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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: stick · safe · rush · prune · band · wave · can · mine

  1. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  6. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  7. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. That must've been a ________________.
  11. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  14. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  19. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  20. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  21. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  22. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  23. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  24. He was blown up by a land ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. prune — the fruit
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. prune — to trim
  7. rush — hurry
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. can — a tin
  10. rush — a thrill
  11. wave — a sudden rise
  12. can — to be able to
  13. band — a ring
  14. band — a music group
  15. can — a tin
  16. stick — to attach or keep to
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. mine — for digging
  19. band — a rubber band
  20. mine — belonging to me
  21. prune — to trim
  22. wave — of the sea
  23. wave — with your hand
  24. mine — an explosive

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