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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: safe · cap · plane · rash · lash · nail · face · ball

  1. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  5. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  6. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  7. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  8. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  9. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. The ________________ took off on time.
  12. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. Don't do anything ________________.
  15. The King held a masked ________________.
  16. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  19. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  20. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  21. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  22. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. The ________________ went through the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. cap — a lid
  5. face — to point toward
  6. lash — an eyelash
  7. ball — a great time
  8. cap — of ice
  9. face — part of the head
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. plane — an aircraft
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. rash — hasty
  15. ball — a dance
  16. plane — a tool
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. lash — to lash out
  19. nail — on a finger
  20. cap — a hat
  21. rash — on the skin
  22. face — to confront
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. nail — for a hammer

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