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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. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  4. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. The tickets are free of ________________.
  16. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  17. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  18. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  19. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. rest — a break
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. bank — of a river
  4. wake — to stop sleeping
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. bank — for money
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. wake — before a funeral
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. lash — a whip stroke
  11. charge — electricity
  12. rest — what's left
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. charge — a price
  16. current — electric
  17. rest — what's left
  18. wake — a trail
  19. current — of water
  20. current — happening now
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. pass — a permit
  23. bank — for money
  24. charge — in control

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