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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: cabinet · charge · row · safe · saw · racket · suit · arm

  1. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. My father caught me by the ________________.
  16. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  19. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. She's very handy with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. arm — a part of something
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. row — to paddle
  5. charge — electricity
  6. row — a line
  7. suit — clothes
  8. row — a quarrel
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. suit — to fit
  11. racket — a loud noise
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. racket — for tennis
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. racket — for tennis
  19. charge — in control
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. saw — past of 'see'
  22. suit — in cards
  23. charge — a price
  24. saw — the tool

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