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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. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  2. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  3. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  4. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  5. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. He is an ace ________________.
  9. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  10. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  11. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  12. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  16. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  17. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. hide — to keep secret
  2. pitcher — a jug
  3. foot — the bottom
  4. lash — an eyelash
  5. vault — in gymnastics
  6. suit — clothes
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. pitcher — in baseball
  9. shower — to wash
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. vault — a safe
  12. foot — part of the body
  13. foot — a measure
  14. suit — to fit
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. shower — a meteor shower
  17. vault — an arched ceiling
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. hide — animal skin
  20. suit — in cards
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. shower — rain
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. safe — a strongbox

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