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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 · pass · rash · wake · mug · sharp · calf · hide

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. Don't do anything ________________.
  9. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  16. It's one o'clock ________________.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  19. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  20. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  21. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  22. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. This knife is not ________________ enough.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. calf — of the leg
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. mug — a face
  5. pass — a permit
  6. hide — animal skin
  7. mug — a cup
  8. rash — hasty
  9. wake — to stop sleeping
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. mug — to rob
  12. rash — a series
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. wake — a trail
  16. sharp — exactly
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. wake — before a funeral
  19. hide — to keep secret
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. sharp — clever
  22. rash — on the skin
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. sharp — with an edge

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