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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. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  15. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  18. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — to lash out
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. cap — a lid
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. can — a tin
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. charge — a price
  11. lash — an eyelash
  12. rock — music
  13. can — a tin
  14. charge — in control
  15. fan — to cool the air
  16. can — to be able to
  17. cap — of ice
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. rock — a stone
  20. charge — electricity
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. cap — a hat
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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