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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. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  3. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  4. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  5. That was ________________ to happen.
  6. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. The ________________ market has crashed.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  11. Don't do anything ________________.
  12. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  13. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  14. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  15. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. I'll be taking the ________________.
  19. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  20. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  21. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  22. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  23. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  24. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. bound — obliged
  3. tube — a container
  4. wound — past of 'wind'
  5. bound — certain
  6. tube — in a tire
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. stock — shares
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. lean — thin
  11. rash — hasty
  12. wound — an injury
  13. bound — tied together
  14. rash — a series
  15. stock — a soup base
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. tube — the underground
  19. stock — goods
  20. lean — to rest against
  21. lean — to bend
  22. rash — on the skin
  23. wound — an injury
  24. lash — a whip stroke

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