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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.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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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. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  5. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  6. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  9. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  10. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  11. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  12. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  13. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  20. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  24. Have you met the new head ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. content — videos and posts
  5. content — the amount
  6. kick — a thrill
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. content — happy
  9. coach — pulled by horses
  10. kick — with a leg
  11. lash — to lash out
  12. face — part of the head
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. pass — a permit
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. face — to point toward
  17. lie — to recline
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. face — to confront
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. kick — in football
  24. coach — a trainer

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