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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: pass · arm · cabinet · safe · pitcher · current · toast · content

  1. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  7. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  8. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  18. He is an ace ________________.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  22. My father caught me by the ________________.
  23. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. content — videos and posts
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. arm — a part of something
  7. content — the amount
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. current — electric
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. current — happening now
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. pitcher — in baseball
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. toast — bread
  21. content — happy
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. current — of water

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