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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 120 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: rock · straw · wax · stand · chip · fine · can · safe

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  4. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  8. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  11. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  12. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  13. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. I can't ________________ this cold.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. can — to be able to
  3. fine — all right
  4. chip — for betting
  5. rock — music
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. chip — in a computer
  8. straw — to clutch at straws
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. chip — to eat
  11. wax — for sculpting
  12. wax — in the ear
  13. wax — to grow
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. straw — a straw man
  16. can — a tin
  17. stand — on your feet
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. stand — to bear
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. straw — dry grass
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. can — a tin
  24. fine — high quality

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