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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. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  5. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  6. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  7. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  11. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  16. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  21. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  22. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. pass — to succeed
  3. rash — a series
  4. mark — a grade
  5. lash — to lash out
  6. calf — of the leg
  7. trunk — of an elephant
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. mark — a trace
  10. trunk — of a car
  11. trunk — of a tree
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. pass — a permit
  15. firm — decided
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. firm — a company
  19. rash — hasty
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. rash — on the skin
  22. lash — an eyelash
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. firm — steady

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