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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: suit · safe · bound · bore · mouse · bank · cue · pass

  1. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  5. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  6. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  10. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  16. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  21. That was ________________ to happen.
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. bore — to tire
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. cue — a signal
  5. bound — obliged
  6. bank — for money
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. bank — of a river
  9. mouse — for a computer
  10. bore — to drill
  11. bound — tied together
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. suit — clothes
  14. suit — in cards
  15. bank — for money
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. suit — to fit
  18. cue — for pool
  19. pass — a permit
  20. bore — gave birth
  21. bound — certain
  22. cue — a hint
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. mouse — the animal

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