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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. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  5. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  6. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  7. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. My mare is ________________ in color.
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  14. The King held a masked ________________.
  15. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  16. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  22. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  23. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  24. We had a fire ________________ at school today.

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

Answer key

  1. drill — the tool
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. wave — a sudden rise
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. drill — army training
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. wave — of the sea
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. bay — a horse colour
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. lash — a whip stroke
  14. ball — a dance
  15. bank — for money
  16. bank — of a river
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. lash — an eyelash
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. wave — with your hand
  22. bank — for money
  23. ball — a great time
  24. drill — a practice

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