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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. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  5. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  6. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  7. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  8. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  13. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  14. We're on a ________________ here.
  15. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  16. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  17. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  24. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — a list
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. track — a song
  5. roll — a cake
  6. trunk — of a tree
  7. chip — for betting
  8. cue — a signal
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. track — to keep track
  13. trunk — of an elephant
  14. roll — on a roll
  15. cue — a hint
  16. track — a path
  17. trunk — of a car
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. cue — for pool
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. pass — a permit
  23. chip — in a computer
  24. chip — to eat

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