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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.

Make a worksheet

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: hide · ball · drill · wave · safe · leaves · foot · staff

  1. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  2. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  3. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  4. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  5. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  10. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  11. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  12. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  17. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  20. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. The King held a masked ________________.
  24. I have a corn on my right ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. staff — employees
  2. wave — of the sea
  3. ball — a great time
  4. foot — the bottom
  5. staff — a stick
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. hide — animal skin
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. ball — a round shape
  10. drill — the tool
  11. drill — a practice
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. foot — a measure
  14. staff — employees
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. drill — army training
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. wave — with your hand
  20. wave — a sudden rise
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. ball — a dance
  24. foot — part of the body

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