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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
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: pass · suit · tube · safe · band · racket · sharp · ball

  1. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. The King held a masked ________________.
  4. It's one o'clock ________________.
  5. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. I'll be taking the ________________.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  12. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  13. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  16. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  19. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  20. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  24. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a great time
  2. suit — to fit
  3. ball — a dance
  4. sharp — exactly
  5. band — a rubber band
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. tube — the underground
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. pass — a permit
  11. band — a music group
  12. sharp — with an edge
  13. sharp — clever
  14. suit — in cards
  15. ball — a round shape
  16. racket — a loud noise
  17. suit — clothes
  18. tube — a container
  19. band — a ring
  20. racket — for tennis
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. racket — for tennis
  24. tube — in a tire

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