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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: jam · fine · hide · safe · fan · arm · bowl · key

  1. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  2. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  3. My father caught me by the ________________.
  4. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  5. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  6. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  9. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  19. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  20. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  24. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. arm — a part of something
  2. bowl — to roll
  3. arm — part of the body
  4. hide — animal skin
  5. fine — all right
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. arm — part of the body
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. key — the most important part
  11. fan — a supporter
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. fine — high quality
  14. key — for a lock
  15. fine — a penalty
  16. key — in music
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. jam — in traffic
  19. bowl — a football final
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. jam — a tight spot
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  24. bowl — a dish

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