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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.

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: rush · stick · pop · safe · ground · board · fork · arm

  1. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  5. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  6. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  7. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  8. We're almost out of ________________.
  9. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  10. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  11. My father caught me by the ________________.
  12. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. There's no middle ________________.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  18. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  19. You don't need to ________________ round.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  22. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. rush — to hurry
  5. board — a flat piece
  6. ground — crushed
  7. fork — in a road
  8. pop — soda
  9. fork — to eat with
  10. ground — the earth
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. fork — a garden tool
  13. board — a committee
  14. ground — a position
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. arm — a part of something
  18. board — to get on
  19. pop — to visit
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. pop — music
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. rush — hurry
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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