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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. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. That was ________________ to happen.
  5. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  6. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  9. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  12. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  13. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  14. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  15. My father caught me by the ________________.
  16. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. lash — to lash out
  3. rock — a stone
  4. bound — certain
  5. bore — to drill
  6. net — for catching
  7. mark — a grade
  8. bound — obliged
  9. bore — gave birth
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. bore — to tire
  12. bound — tied together
  13. rock — music
  14. net — after costs
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. net — in sport
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. arm — a part of something
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. mark — a trace

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