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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.

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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: safe · saw · object · stand · pass · wind · calf · cabinet

  1. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  2. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. He works in a ________________ mill.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  16. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  21. She's very handy with a ________________.
  22. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  23. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wind — moving air
  2. wind — moving air
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. saw — the tool
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. stand — on your feet
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. object — a thing
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. stand — to bear
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. calf — of the leg
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. pass — a permit
  20. object — to protest
  21. saw — the tool
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. wind — to turn a key
  24. object — an aim

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