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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 116 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: plane · safe · hide · nail · pass · cabinet · charge · racket

  1. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  11. The ________________ took off on time.
  12. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  13. The ________________ went through the wall.
  14. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  17. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  21. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  22. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. plane — a tool
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. charge — in control
  8. pass — a permit
  9. charge — a price
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. plane — an aircraft
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. nail — on a finger
  15. charge — electricity
  16. racket — a loud noise
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. hide — animal skin
  21. cabinet — a cupboard
  22. plane — in geometry
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. pass — to spend time

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