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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: wax · deal · toast · rash · chip · safe · dip · stand

  1. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  2. I can't ________________ this cold.
  3. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  4. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  5. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  6. Don't do anything ________________.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  11. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  12. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  13. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  14. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  15. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  16. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  17. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  18. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  21. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  22. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — an agreement
  2. stand — to bear
  3. chip — to eat
  4. wax — for sculpting
  5. dip — to dunk
  6. rash — hasty
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. rash — on the skin
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. deal — a big deal
  11. wax — in the ear
  12. stand — for spectators
  13. wax — to grow
  14. stand — on your feet
  15. chip — for betting
  16. rash — a series
  17. dip — to sink
  18. toast — the most admired
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. dip — a sauce
  21. chip — in a computer
  22. deal — to handle
  23. toast — bread
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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