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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: stick · nail · coach · bass · hide · bowl · safe · current

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. Have you met the new head ________________?
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  9. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  10. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  11. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  12. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  13. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  14. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  15. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  16. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  19. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  22. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  23. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  24. I play ________________ in a jazz band.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. current — electric
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. current — happening now
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. bowl — a football final
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. bass — the fish
  11. hide — to keep secret
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. current — of water
  14. stick — to attach or keep to
  15. coach — pulled by horses
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. nail — on a finger
  19. bowl — to roll
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. bowl — a dish
  22. bass — low music
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. bass — the instrument

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