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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 is as ________________ as a wolf.
  2. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  3. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. I can't ________________ this cold.
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  13. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  18. I'll be taking the ________________.
  19. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  20. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. When was this ________________ built?
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lean — thin
  2. lash — a whip stroke
  3. lash — to lash out
  4. can — a tin
  5. current — happening now
  6. stand — on your feet
  7. can — a tin
  8. lean — to rest against
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. stand — to bear
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. lash — an eyelash
  14. current — of water
  15. tube — in a tire
  16. can — to be able to
  17. stand — for spectators
  18. tube — the underground
  19. tube — a container
  20. lean — to bend
  21. board — a committee
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. board — to get on
  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