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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: coach · stock · date · safe · mug · hide · bowl · ruler

  1. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  2. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  7. The ________________ market has crashed.
  8. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  9. Have you settled on a ________________?
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  17. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  18. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  19. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  22. Have you met the new head ________________?
  23. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  24. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. hide — to keep secret
  2. hide — to keep secret
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. bowl — to roll
  7. stock — shares
  8. stock — a soup base
  9. date — on the calendar
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. stock — goods
  12. mug — a face
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. mug — to rob
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. mug — a cup
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. date — the fruit
  19. bowl — a football final
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. date — on the calendar
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. hide — animal skin
  24. bowl — a dish

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