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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
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: jam · safe · stand · cue · rock · staff · hide · plane

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  3. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  4. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. The ________________ took off on time.
  10. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  13. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  14. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  15. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  16. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  19. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. I can't ________________ this cold.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. hide — to keep secret
  3. hide — to keep secret
  4. staff — employees
  5. rock — a stone
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. plane — an aircraft
  10. cue — a signal
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. stand — for spectators
  13. rock — music
  14. cue — for pool
  15. staff — employees
  16. cue — a hint
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. hide — animal skin
  19. staff — a stick
  20. plane — a tool
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. stand — on your feet
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. stand — to bear

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