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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: pass · sharp · saw · wax · mouse · coach · safe · trunk

  1. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. It's one o'clock ________________.
  3. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  4. She's very handy with a ________________.
  5. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  6. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. Have you met the new head ________________?
  10. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  11. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. He works in a ________________ mill.
  17. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  18. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  22. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. The elephant has a huge ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. sharp — exactly
  3. sharp — clever
  4. saw — the tool
  5. wax — in the ear
  6. trunk — of a tree
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. trunk — of a car
  11. sharp — with an edge
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. wax — for sculpting
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. saw — the tool
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. wax — to grow
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. coach — pulled by horses
  22. saw — past of 'see'
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. trunk — of an elephant

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