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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.

Make a worksheet

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
468
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: current · safe · leaves · mark · perch · coach · pass · lie

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  3. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  4. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  5. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. Have you met the new head ________________?
  24. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. perch — for a bird
  3. mark — a grade
  4. coach — pulled by horses
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. current — happening now
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. mark — a trace
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. current — electric
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. lie — to recline
  18. current — of water
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. pass — to spend time
  21. pass — a permit
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. perch — the fish

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