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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. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  2. I've got to change the light ________________.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  8. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  11. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. My father caught me by the ________________.
  15. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  16. The King held a masked ________________.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  19. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  20. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  21. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — a whip stroke
  2. bulb — for light
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. branch — of a bank
  6. suit — in cards
  7. branch — a division
  8. arm — a part of something
  9. suit — to fit
  10. bowl — to roll
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. bulb — for light
  13. suit — clothes
  14. arm — part of the body
  15. ball — a round shape
  16. ball — a dance
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. branch — of a tree
  19. lash — an eyelash
  20. bulb — of a plant
  21. ball — a great time
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. bowl — a football final

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