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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. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. That must've been a ________________.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  13. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  16. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  22. The King held a masked ________________.
  23. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  24. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. lash — to lash out
  3. key — in music
  4. rush — a thrill
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. lash — an eyelash
  7. key — the most important part
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. key — for a lock
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. fork — to eat with
  13. wax — for sculpting
  14. can — a tin
  15. ball — a great time
  16. wax — to grow
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. can — a tin
  19. rush — hurry
  20. can — to be able to
  21. fork — in a road
  22. ball — a dance
  23. fork — a garden tool
  24. wax — in the ear

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