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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: pass · roll · key · bowl · safe · staff · board · swing

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  4. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  8. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  9. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  10. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  14. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  15. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  16. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. David sat on the ________________.
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. We're on a ________________ here.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  24. The old man leaned on his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. pass — a permit
  3. bowl — a dish
  4. key — for a lock
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. key — in music
  7. bowl — to roll
  8. roll — a list
  9. staff — employees
  10. staff — employees
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. board — to get on
  13. roll — a cake
  14. swing — in golf
  15. swing — music
  16. bowl — a football final
  17. key — the most important part
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. swing — to play on
  20. board — a committee
  21. roll — on a roll
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. board — a flat piece
  24. staff — a stick

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