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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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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: temple · key · lash · pass · fan · board · rush · hide

  1. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  2. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  23. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  24. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a committee
  2. hide — to keep secret
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. fan — to cool the air
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. key — in music
  7. key — the most important part
  8. rush — hurry
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. pass — a permit
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. key — for a lock
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. lash — a whip stroke
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. lash — an eyelash
  24. board — to get on

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