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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.

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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: jam · safe · foot · net · pitcher · perch · season · pass

  1. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  2. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  5. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  6. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  9. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  15. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  16. He is an ace ________________.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  21. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  22. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  23. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  24. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.

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

Answer key

  1. perch — for a bird
  2. net — in sport
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. season — in sport
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. jam — to spread on bread
  9. jam — a tight spot
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. jam — in traffic
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. foot — a measure
  15. net — after costs
  16. pitcher — in baseball
  17. pass — a permit
  18. season — of the year
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. perch — the fish
  21. foot — part of the body
  22. foot — the bottom
  23. net — for catching
  24. pitcher — a jug

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