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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: safe · suit · pitch · firm · nail · can · prune · sharp

  1. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  5. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  6. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  9. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. It's one o'clock ________________.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  15. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  22. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — with an edge
  2. can — a tin
  3. can — to be able to
  4. pitch — completely
  5. sharp — clever
  6. firm — decided
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. pitch — a sports field
  9. prune — the fruit
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. sharp — exactly
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. prune — to trim
  15. firm — a company
  16. suit — in cards
  17. can — a tin
  18. nail — on a finger
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. suit — to fit
  21. pitch — a sales talk
  22. prune — to trim
  23. suit — clothes
  24. firm — steady

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