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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 ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. Don't do anything ________________.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  17. There's no middle ________________.
  18. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  19. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — the earth
  2. rash — a series
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. stand — for spectators
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. track — a song
  7. mug — a face
  8. lash — to lash out
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. track — to keep track
  11. stand — to bear
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. rash — hasty
  15. rush — hurry
  16. ground — crushed
  17. ground — a position
  18. stand — on your feet
  19. track — a path
  20. mug — to rob
  21. rash — on the skin
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. mug — a cup

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