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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.

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: arm · safe · can · bulb · lash · bear · craft · hand

  1. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  5. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  6. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  7. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  16. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  19. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. My father caught me by the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. can — a tin
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. bear — to put up with
  5. hand — help
  6. craft — boats
  7. craft — a skill
  8. can — to be able to
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. arm — a part of something
  12. bulb — for light
  13. bear — the animal
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. craft — a handicraft
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. bulb — for light
  18. hand — in cards
  19. bear — the animal
  20. can — a tin
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. hand — part of the body
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. arm — part of the body

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