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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.

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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: content · net · row · rash · pass · can · safe · cap

  1. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  4. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  5. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  6. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  11. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  22. Don't do anything ________________.
  23. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. row — to paddle
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. content — happy
  4. net — after costs
  5. row — a quarrel
  6. net — for catching
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. row — a line
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. content — videos and posts
  11. content — the amount
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. net — in sport
  14. can — a tin
  15. can — a tin
  16. cap — a lid
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. cap — a hat
  20. can — to be able to
  21. rash — a series
  22. rash — hasty
  23. cap — of ice
  24. pass — a permit

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