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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.

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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: land · staff · pop · safe · firm · toast · squash · can

  1. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  5. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  6. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. We're almost out of ________________.
  9. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. When are we going to ________________?
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  15. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  16. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  19. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  22. You don't need to ________________ round.
  23. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  24. I'd like to play a game of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — decided
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. can — a tin
  4. land — a country
  5. staff — a stick
  6. squash — to crush
  7. can — to be able to
  8. pop — soda
  9. firm — a company
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. land — to come down
  12. can — a tin
  13. toast — bread
  14. squash — the vegetable
  15. firm — steady
  16. staff — employees
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. pop — music
  19. land — ground
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. toast — a drink to someone
  22. pop — to visit
  23. staff — employees
  24. squash — the sport

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