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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 116 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 felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  2. She's very handy with a ________________.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. He works in a ________________ mill.
  5. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  6. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  16. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  23. This piece is in a major ________________.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — a whip stroke
  2. saw — the tool
  3. key — for a lock
  4. saw — the tool
  5. hide — animal skin
  6. hide — to keep secret
  7. key — the most important part
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. lash — to lash out
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. mug — a face
  12. saw — past of 'see'
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. season — in sport
  16. lash — an eyelash
  17. pass — a permit
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. mug — to rob
  20. season — of the year
  21. mug — a cup
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. key — in music
  24. pass — to succeed

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