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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: drill · saw · mark · charge · cabinet · last · safe · wax

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. The tickets are free of ________________.
  7. False peace will not ________________.
  8. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  15. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  16. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  17. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  18. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  19. He works in a ________________ mill.
  20. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  21. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. drill — the tool
  3. mark — a trace
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. charge — a price
  7. last — to go on
  8. wax — to grow
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. mark — a grade
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. charge — in control
  15. last — finally
  16. wax — for sculpting
  17. drill — army training
  18. drill — a practice
  19. saw — the tool
  20. last — final
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. charge — electricity
  23. saw — the tool
  24. wax — in the ear

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