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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 116 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. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  4. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  5. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  6. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  7. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  17. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  18. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  19. Did you ________________ the meat?
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  24. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — to lash out
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. board — to get on
  4. season — of the year
  5. board — a flat piece
  6. vault — an arched ceiling
  7. season — in sport
  8. bulb — for light
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. bulb — for light
  12. key — the most important part
  13. key — in music
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. key — for a lock
  16. lash — an eyelash
  17. vault — a safe
  18. vault — in gymnastics
  19. season — to add flavour
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. board — a committee
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. bulb — of a plant

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