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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 116 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. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  9. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  10. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  11. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  12. There's no middle ________________.
  13. The ________________ went through the wall.
  14. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  17. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  18. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  19. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  20. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — the earth
  2. suit — to fit
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. mark — a grade
  6. mark — a trace
  7. suit — in cards
  8. face — to point toward
  9. mine — an explosive
  10. mine — belonging to me
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. ground — a position
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. ground — crushed
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. mine — for digging
  17. bank — of a river
  18. face — to confront
  19. face — part of the head
  20. bank — for money
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. suit — clothes
  23. bank — for money
  24. lash — a whip stroke

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