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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.

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 · date · safe · cabinet · snap · suit · rush · chair

  1. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  5. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  10. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  11. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  12. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  13. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  14. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. Have you settled on a ________________?
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. snap — to snap out of it
  2. suit — to fit
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. snap — to click
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. pass — a permit
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. date — the fruit
  10. chair — a professorship
  11. snap — to speak sharply
  12. rush — hurry
  13. date — on the calendar
  14. chair — a leader
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. chair — to sit on
  20. suit — in cards
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. date — on the calendar
  23. suit — clothes
  24. safe — out of danger

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