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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
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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: bass · date · safe · can · coach · object · mouse · mug

  1. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. Have you settled on a ________________?
  3. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  6. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  7. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  8. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. Have you met the new head ________________?
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  13. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  24. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. date — on the calendar
  3. bass — the instrument
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. date — the fruit
  6. bass — low music
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. date — on the calendar
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. coach — pulled by horses
  13. object — a thing
  14. mug — to rob
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. mug — a cup
  17. object — to protest
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. mug — a face
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. can — a tin
  22. can — to be able to
  23. object — an aim
  24. bass — the fish

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