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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's quite ________________, isn't he?
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  6. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  7. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  10. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  11. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  15. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. Have you found your soul ________________?
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  22. It's one o'clock ________________.
  23. Don't do anything ________________.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — clever
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. sharp — with an edge
  4. rock — a stone
  5. rash — a series
  6. mate — a friend
  7. lash — to lash out
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. rest — a break
  10. mate — to breed
  11. lash — an eyelash
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. rest — what's left
  15. rash — on the skin
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. mate — a partner
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. rock — music
  21. rest — what's left
  22. sharp — exactly
  23. rash — hasty
  24. safe — out of danger

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