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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. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  2. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  3. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  9. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  10. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  11. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  12. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. That must've been a ________________.
  16. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  17. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  18. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  24. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.

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

Answer key

  1. stem — to come from
  2. bear — the animal
  3. rush — hurry
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. lash — to lash out
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. bear — the animal
  9. stem — a stem cell
  10. lash — a whip stroke
  11. stem — of a plant
  12. firm — steady
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. rush — a thrill
  16. firm — a company
  17. bear — to put up with
  18. lash — an eyelash
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. pass — a permit
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. firm — decided

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