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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: bass · jam · safe · staff · swing · wave · suit · arm

  1. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  2. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  3. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  4. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  5. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  6. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  7. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  8. David sat on the ________________.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  15. My father caught me by the ________________.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  19. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  20. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  21. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  22. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Tom got himself in a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — of the sea
  2. wave — a sudden rise
  3. arm — a part of something
  4. bass — the fish
  5. staff — a stick
  6. wave — with your hand
  7. bass — the instrument
  8. swing — to play on
  9. suit — in cards
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. swing — in golf
  12. suit — clothes
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. staff — employees
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. suit — to fit
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. bass — low music
  19. jam — to spread on bread
  20. staff — employees
  21. swing — music
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. jam — a tight spot

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