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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: current · coach · racket · net · rest · safe · foot · fan

  1. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  5. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  6. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  7. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  8. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  9. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  10. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  11. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. Have you met the new head ________________?
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  18. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  22. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  23. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  24. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. racket — a loud noise
  5. foot — a measure
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. rest — what's left
  8. current — of water
  9. net — in sport
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. net — for catching
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. net — after costs
  16. current — happening now
  17. rest — a break
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. current — electric
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. coach — pulled by horses
  22. rest — what's left
  23. racket — for tennis
  24. fan — a supporter

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