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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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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: rock · hide · pitcher · safe · season · stand · nail · plane

  1. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. He is an ace ________________.
  9. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  10. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. The ________________ went through the wall.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  16. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  17. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  18. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  21. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  22. Did you ________________ the meat?
  23. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — on your feet
  2. rock — a stone
  3. pitcher — a jug
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. pitcher — in baseball
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. season — of the year
  11. stand — to bear
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. season — in sport
  16. hide — animal skin
  17. plane — a tool
  18. nail — on a finger
  19. rock — music
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. hide — to keep secret
  22. season — to add flavour
  23. pitcher — a jug
  24. plane — an aircraft

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