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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
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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: safe · saw · trunk · mark · firm · leaves · cap · pass

  1. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  6. She's very handy with a ________________.
  7. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  13. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  18. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  19. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  20. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  21. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  22. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  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. saw — the tool
  2. pass — a permit
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. leaves — lets stay
  6. saw — the tool
  7. firm — a company
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. saw — past of 'see'
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. trunk — of a tree
  13. firm — steady
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. mark — a trace
  17. cap — a lid
  18. trunk — of a car
  19. cap — of ice
  20. firm — decided
  21. cap — a hat
  22. trunk — of an elephant
  23. mark — a grade
  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