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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 120 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. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  2. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  3. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  4. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  7. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  17. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  20. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  21. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  22. This piece is in a major ________________.
  23. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  24. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. kick — a thrill
  2. pit — in a race
  3. bay — a part of the sea
  4. racket — for tennis
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. lash — an eyelash
  7. pit — a hole
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. bank — for money
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. bank — for money
  12. racket — for tennis
  13. key — the most important part
  14. kick — in football
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. lash — a whip stroke
  17. stick — to attach or keep to
  18. key — for a lock
  19. bank — of a river
  20. racket — a loud noise
  21. pit — a fruit stone
  22. key — in music
  23. kick — with a leg
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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