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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 · bore · suit · rock · wax · pitcher · ball · stand

  1. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  2. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  3. I can't ________________ this cold.
  4. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  5. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  6. He is an ace ________________.
  7. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  10. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. The King held a masked ________________.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  21. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  22. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  23. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — a jug
  2. bore — to tire
  3. stand — to bear
  4. stand — on your feet
  5. stand — for spectators
  6. pitcher — in baseball
  7. bore — to drill
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. ball — a great time
  10. wax — in the ear
  11. rock — a stone
  12. ball — a dance
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. suit — in cards
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. rock — music
  19. suit — to fit
  20. bore — gave birth
  21. ball — a round shape
  22. wax — for sculpting
  23. wax — to grow
  24. suit — clothes

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