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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. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. He works in a ________________ mill.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  8. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  9. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  10. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. I've got to change the light ________________.
  16. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. The light ________________ burned out.
  19. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. She's very handy with a ________________.
  22. David sat on the ________________.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  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. can — a tin
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. saw — the tool
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. can — a tin
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. lash — to lash out
  8. staff — employees
  9. saw — past of 'see'
  10. swing — in golf
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. bulb — for light
  16. swing — music
  17. staff — employees
  18. bulb — for light
  19. staff — a stick
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. saw — the tool
  22. swing — to play on
  23. can — to be able to
  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