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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 has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  8. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  9. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  17. Have you met the new head ________________?
  18. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  19. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. object — a thing
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. object — an aim
  5. lie — to recline
  6. board — to get on
  7. lash — a whip stroke
  8. board — a committee
  9. coach — pulled by horses
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. charge — electricity
  13. lash — an eyelash
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. deal — an agreement
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. deal — to handle
  19. object — to protest
  20. charge — a price
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. charge — in control
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. lash — to lash out

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