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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 116 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. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  7. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  8. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  9. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  10. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  11. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  12. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  19. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. My mare is ________________ in color.
  24. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. racket — a loud noise
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. lash — a whip stroke
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. racket — for tennis
  7. wax — for sculpting
  8. wax — in the ear
  9. wax — to grow
  10. lie — to recline
  11. straw — to clutch at straws
  12. racket — for tennis
  13. charge — a price
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. bay — a part of the sea
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. straw — a straw man
  19. charge — electricity
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. cabinet — a cupboard
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. bay — a horse colour
  24. straw — dry grass

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