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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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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: scale · lash · vault · rush · foot · safe · rule · stick

  1. That must've been a ________________.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  4. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  5. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  6. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  7. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  8. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  11. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  12. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  15. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  20. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.

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

Answer key

  1. rush — a thrill
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. lash — a whip stroke
  4. foot — part of the body
  5. vault — an arched ceiling
  6. scale — for weighing
  7. scale — size or range
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. rule — to rule out
  11. scale — in music
  12. rule — government
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. foot — a measure
  15. stick — to attach or keep to
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. rush — hurry
  19. vault — a safe
  20. rush — to hurry
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. vault — in gymnastics
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. rule — a law

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