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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: bay · pitcher · safe · mine · suit · stick · object · can

  1. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. He is an ace ________________.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  9. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  14. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  15. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. My mare is ________________ in color.
  18. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  21. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  22. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. object — a thing
  3. mine — for digging
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. pitcher — in baseball
  7. can — to be able to
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. mine — belonging to me
  10. suit — clothes
  11. suit — to fit
  12. can — a tin
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. mine — an explosive
  15. object — to protest
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. bay — a horse colour
  18. bay — a part of the sea
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. stick — to attach or keep to
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. can — a tin
  24. object — an aim

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