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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: wave · pit · safe · face · cabinet · perch · sharp · mug

  1. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  5. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  9. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  10. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  11. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  12. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  13. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  14. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  22. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  23. It's one o'clock ________________.
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. face — to point toward
  2. mug — a cup
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. sharp — with an edge
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. sharp — clever
  9. wave — with your hand
  10. pit — a hole
  11. wave — of the sea
  12. pit — a fruit stone
  13. pit — in a race
  14. perch — for a bird
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. face — to confront
  17. mug — a face
  18. mug — to rob
  19. wave — a sudden rise
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. face — part of the head
  22. perch — the fish
  23. sharp — exactly
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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