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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
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: coach · wave · safe · bear · pass · saw · nail · stem

  1. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  5. She's very handy with a ________________.
  6. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  7. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  8. He works in a ________________ mill.
  9. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  10. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  14. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  15. Have you met the new head ________________?
  16. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  17. The ________________ went through the wall.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  23. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  24. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. wave — a sudden rise
  5. saw — the tool
  6. stem — to come from
  7. coach — pulled by horses
  8. saw — the tool
  9. stem — a stem cell
  10. bear — the animal
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. wave — of the sea
  14. nail — on a finger
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. pass — a permit
  20. saw — past of 'see'
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. stem — of a plant
  23. bear — to put up with
  24. wave — with your hand

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