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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: bay · arm · wave · net · roll · row · safe · can

  1. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  2. We're on a ________________ here.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  8. My mare is ________________ in color.
  9. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  10. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  13. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  14. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  15. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  16. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  17. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  18. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  19. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  20. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  21. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. My father caught me by the ________________.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. row — to paddle
  2. roll — on a roll
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. wave — of the sea
  5. can — a tin
  6. can — to be able to
  7. bay — a part of the sea
  8. bay — a horse colour
  9. arm — a part of something
  10. net — after costs
  11. can — a tin
  12. net — in sport
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. row — a quarrel
  15. wave — a sudden rise
  16. bay — to keep at bay
  17. net — for catching
  18. row — a line
  19. roll — a cake
  20. wave — with your hand
  21. roll — a list
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. safe — a strongbox

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