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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: coach · foot · hide · jam · fork · charge · safe · staff

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  4. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  5. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  6. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  7. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  8. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  9. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  12. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  13. Have you met the new head ________________?
  14. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  15. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  18. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  19. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  22. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. We have nothing to ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. fork — a garden tool
  4. fork — in a road
  5. foot — part of the body
  6. jam — to spread on bread
  7. jam — in traffic
  8. fork — to eat with
  9. charge — in control
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. hide — animal skin
  12. foot — the bottom
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. coach — pulled by horses
  15. staff — employees
  16. foot — a measure
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. staff — a stick
  19. jam — a tight spot
  20. charge — electricity
  21. staff — employees
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. charge — a price
  24. hide — to keep secret

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