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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.

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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: swing · safe · suit · perch · nail · rush · bound · rock

  1. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. The ________________ went through the wall.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  14. That must've been a ________________.
  15. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  16. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  17. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. That was ________________ to happen.
  20. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. David sat on the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. nail — for a hammer
  3. suit — in cards
  4. perch — the fish
  5. rock — music
  6. swing — music
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. bound — obliged
  11. suit — to fit
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. nail — on a finger
  14. rush — a thrill
  15. perch — for a bird
  16. swing — in golf
  17. bound — tied together
  18. rush — hurry
  19. bound — certain
  20. rush — to hurry
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. rock — a stone
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. swing — to play on

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