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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.

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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: safe · snap · stand · last · pass · spell · trunk · jam

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  3. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  7. How do you ________________ your surname?
  8. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  9. I can't ________________ this cold.
  10. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  11. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  12. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  13. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  14. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. False peace will not ________________.
  18. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  19. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. snap — to speak sharply
  3. spell — magic
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. last — finally
  7. spell — letters
  8. spell — a short time
  9. stand — to bear
  10. stand — for spectators
  11. trunk — of a car
  12. snap — to click
  13. stand — on your feet
  14. last — final
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. last — to go on
  18. trunk — of a tree
  19. trunk — of an elephant
  20. pass — a permit
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. snap — to snap out of it
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. safe — out of danger

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