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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. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  7. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  8. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  9. I can't ________________ this cold.
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  13. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  14. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  15. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  19. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  20. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  21. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  22. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. lash — a whip stroke
  4. current — happening now
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. fall — the season
  7. bowl — a dish
  8. trunk — of a tree
  9. stand — to bear
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. trunk — of an elephant
  13. lash — to lash out
  14. fall — to drop
  15. plane — a tool
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. current — of water
  18. bowl — to roll
  19. fall — to drop
  20. stand — for spectators
  21. trunk — of a car
  22. bowl — a football final
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. current — electric

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