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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. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  6. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  7. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  10. I'll be taking the ________________.
  11. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  15. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  24. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — a whip stroke
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. tube — a container
  6. current — electric
  7. tube — in a tire
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. lash — to lash out
  10. tube — the underground
  11. stem — of a plant
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. stem — a stem cell
  15. current — happening now
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. rush — hurry
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. stem — to come from
  23. current — of water
  24. lie — to recline

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