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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  3. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  8. There's no middle ________________.
  9. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  10. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  17. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  18. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  19. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  20. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  21. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. rush — to hurry
  3. bass — low music
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. firm — a company
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. bass — the fish
  8. ground — a position
  9. ground — crushed
  10. dip — to dunk
  11. rush — hurry
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. dip — a sauce
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. lie — to recline
  16. firm — decided
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. firm — steady
  19. dip — to sink
  20. bass — the instrument
  21. ground — the earth
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. calf — a young animal

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