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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.

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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: cue · safe · bay · bank · object · pass · racket · nail

  1. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  3. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  4. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  8. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  9. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  10. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  11. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  12. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  15. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. My mare is ________________ in color.
  24. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a part of the sea
  2. racket — for tennis
  3. cue — a hint
  4. bank — for money
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. pass — a permit
  7. cue — a signal
  8. object — an aim
  9. object — a thing
  10. bank — for money
  11. nail — on a finger
  12. racket — a loud noise
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. racket — for tennis
  15. bay — to keep at bay
  16. cue — for pool
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. object — to protest
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. bank — of a river
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. bay — a horse colour
  24. nail — for a hammer

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