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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 124 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 spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  3. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  7. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  22. The ________________ took off on time.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. club — for golf
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. toast — the most admired
  7. perch — the fish
  8. can — to be able to
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. club — a group
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. plane — a tool
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. club — for dancing
  16. fine — all right
  17. fine — high quality
  18. can — a tin
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. can — a tin
  21. fine — a penalty
  22. plane — an aircraft
  23. toast — bread
  24. perch — for a bird

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