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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 120 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
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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: squash · stand · saw · pass · wax · mark · safe · chip

  1. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  3. She's very handy with a ________________.
  4. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  7. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  10. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  15. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  16. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  19. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. He works in a ________________ mill.
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. chip — to eat
  3. saw — the tool
  4. mark — a grade
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. wax — for sculpting
  7. squash — the sport
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. chip — in a computer
  10. chip — for betting
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. squash — to crush
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. stand — on your feet
  15. squash — the vegetable
  16. wax — in the ear
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. wax — to grow
  19. mark — a trace
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. saw — the tool
  23. stand — to bear
  24. pass — to succeed

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