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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.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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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. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  2. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  3. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  4. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  5. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  6. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  7. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  8. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  9. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  10. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  19. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  20. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  24. The spa offers ________________ extensions.

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

Answer key

  1. hide — to keep secret
  2. file — a tool
  3. lash — a whip stroke
  4. file — a line of people
  5. cap — of ice
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. leaves — to go away
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. file — a document
  10. cap — a lid
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. hide — animal skin
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. stick — to attach or keep to
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. cap — a hat
  19. leaves — of a tree
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. lash — an eyelash

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