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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.

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: coach · present · stick · can · net · object · safe · drill

  1. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  2. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  5. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  6. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  7. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  14. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  15. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  16. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  17. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  18. Have you met the new head ________________?
  19. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  24. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.

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

Answer key

  1. drill — army training
  2. coach — pulled by horses
  3. can — a tin
  4. net — for catching
  5. net — in sport
  6. object — an aim
  7. stick — to attach or keep to
  8. can — a tin
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. net — after costs
  14. drill — a practice
  15. object — to protest
  16. present — a gift
  17. object — a thing
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. can — to be able to
  21. drill — the tool
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. present — there
  24. present — the time now

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