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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: safe · rush · stick · bass · dip · kid · bowl · nail

  1. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  4. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  7. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  8. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  9. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  10. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  11. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  12. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  16. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  19. The ________________ went through the wall.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  23. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. dip — to sink
  3. bass — low music
  4. dip — a sauce
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. bass — the fish
  7. stick — a piece of wood
  8. dip — to dunk
  9. kid — child
  10. bass — the instrument
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. rush — hurry
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. bowl — a dish
  16. bowl — to roll
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. bowl — a football final
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  23. kid — to tease
  24. nail — on a finger

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