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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. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. That was ________________ to happen.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  13. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  14. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  15. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  16. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.

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

Answer key

  1. straw — dry grass
  2. lie — to recline
  3. lean — thin
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. current — of water
  6. straw — to clutch at straws
  7. bound — obliged
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. bound — certain
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. suit — clothes
  12. current — happening now
  13. straw — a straw man
  14. lean — to rest against
  15. lean — to bend
  16. lash — an eyelash
  17. current — electric
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. suit — in cards
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. suit — to fit
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. bound — tied together

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