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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.

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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: safe · mark · cabinet · wax · content · ball · pitcher · lash

  1. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  2. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  6. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. He is an ace ________________.
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  11. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  20. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  21. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. What do you think of the new ________________?
  24. The King held a masked ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — a jug
  2. pitcher — a jug
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. content — the amount
  6. content — videos and posts
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. pitcher — in baseball
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. mark — a grade
  11. lash — to lash out
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. content — happy
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. ball — a great time
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. wax — to grow
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. mark — a trace
  20. wax — for sculpting
  21. wax — in the ear
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. ball — a dance

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