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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 120 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. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  7. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  8. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  14. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  17. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  23. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — with your hand
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. wave — a sudden rise
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. root — of a plant
  6. lash — to lash out
  7. wave — of the sea
  8. lean — to bend
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. chip — in a computer
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. lash — an eyelash
  14. chip — to eat
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. lash — a whip stroke
  17. lean — to rest against
  18. root — of a word
  19. chip — for betting
  20. pass — a permit
  21. rush — hurry
  22. lean — thin
  23. root — the cause
  24. pass — to succeed

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