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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: pass · ball · hand · can · stand · safe · face · cell

  1. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  3. The King held a masked ________________.
  4. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  5. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. He was locked up in a ________________.
  12. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  15. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  16. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  23. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. cell — a phone
  3. ball — a dance
  4. hand — in cards
  5. cell — in biology
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. face — part of the head
  8. pass — a permit
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. cell — in a prison
  12. face — to point toward
  13. stand — to bear
  14. ball — a great time
  15. ball — a round shape
  16. hand — help
  17. can — to be able to
  18. can — a tin
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. pass — to spend time
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. hand — part of the body
  23. face — to confront
  24. safe — out of danger

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