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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 116 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: rest · saw · fan · file · row · suit · pass · safe

  1. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. He works in a ________________ mill.
  9. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. She's very handy with a ________________.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  16. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  19. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  20. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  21. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  22. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. I would like to have a ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. suit — in cards
  3. rest — what's left
  4. suit — to fit
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. pass — a permit
  8. saw — the tool
  9. file — a document
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. fan — to cool the air
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. saw — the tool
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. row — to paddle
  16. row — a quarrel
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. file — a tool
  19. file — a line of people
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. rest — what's left
  22. row — a line
  23. suit — clothes
  24. rest — a break

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