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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: wave · safe · kick · toast · track · pound · suit · mug

  1. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  2. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  3. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  6. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  10. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  13. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  14. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  15. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  24. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.

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

Answer key

  1. pound — to hit hard
  2. pound — a weight
  3. kick — a thrill
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. wave — of the sea
  6. mug — a cup
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. suit — in cards
  9. mug — a face
  10. toast — the most admired
  11. suit — to fit
  12. pound — for dogs
  13. track — to keep track
  14. kick — in football
  15. wave — with your hand
  16. mug — to rob
  17. toast — a drink to someone
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. track — a song
  20. toast — bread
  21. kick — with a leg
  22. suit — clothes
  23. wave — a sudden rise
  24. track — a path

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