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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. We're almost out of ________________.
  2. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  3. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  4. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  7. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  12. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  16. You don't need to ________________ round.
  17. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  21. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  22. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. We ________________ up on opposing sides.

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

Answer key

  1. pop — soda
  2. lash — a whip stroke
  3. wound — an injury
  4. pop — music
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. chip — in a computer
  7. track — to keep track
  8. can — to be able to
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. can — a tin
  11. chip — to eat
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. can — a tin
  15. wound — an injury
  16. pop — to visit
  17. track — a song
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. chip — for betting
  21. track — a path
  22. lash — to lash out
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. wound — past of 'wind'

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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