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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. Have you found your soul ________________?
  2. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  5. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  9. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. I can't ________________ this cold.
  20. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  23. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mate — a partner
  2. rush — to hurry
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. stand — on your feet
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. mate — to breed
  9. bowl — to roll
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. stand — for spectators
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. stand — to bear
  20. bowl — a dish
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. mate — a friend
  23. bowl — a football final
  24. rush — hurry

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