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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 116 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.

Make a worksheet

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: spell · face · safe · stick · cabinet · bass · bowl · net

  1. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  4. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  5. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  6. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  7. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  8. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  9. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  10. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  11. How do you ________________ your surname?
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  14. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  15. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  20. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  23. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  24. What do you think of the new ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. face — part of the head
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. bowl — to roll
  4. net — in sport
  5. bowl — a dish
  6. net — for catching
  7. spell — magic
  8. bass — low music
  9. spell — a short time
  10. face — to point toward
  11. spell — letters
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. cabinet — a cupboard
  14. bowl — a football final
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. bass — the instrument
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. net — after costs
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. bass — the fish
  23. face — to confront
  24. cabinet — ministers

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