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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  3. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  4. My mare is ________________ in color.
  5. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  6. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  7. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  12. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  13. The ________________ went through the wall.
  14. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  15. He is an ace ________________.
  16. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  17. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  18. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  24. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. lean — to rest against
  3. bay — a part of the sea
  4. bay — a horse colour
  5. shower — a meteor shower
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. shower — to wash
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. lie — to recline
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. lash — an eyelash
  12. lash — to lash out
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. lean — thin
  15. pitcher — in baseball
  16. nail — on a finger
  17. shower — rain
  18. lean — to bend
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. pitcher — a jug
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. nail — for a hammer

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