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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.

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: arm · object · safe · rush · rash · bay · charge · straw

  1. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  2. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  3. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  4. My father caught me by the ________________.
  5. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  6. My mare is ________________ in color.
  7. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  14. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. Don't do anything ________________.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  19. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  20. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  23. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. object — to protest
  2. rash — on the skin
  3. straw — dry grass
  4. arm — part of the body
  5. object — an aim
  6. bay — a horse colour
  7. bay — to keep at bay
  8. rush — hurry
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. charge — a price
  11. charge — electricity
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. arm — a part of something
  14. straw — a straw man
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. rash — hasty
  17. charge — in control
  18. arm — part of the body
  19. bay — a part of the sea
  20. object — a thing
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. straw — to clutch at straws
  23. rash — a series
  24. safe — out of danger

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