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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
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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: degree · mug · lie · bore · face · safe · lash · vault

  1. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  3. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  4. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  5. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  6. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  7. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  8. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  17. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  18. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  19. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  24. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. vault — a safe
  3. degree — temperature
  4. face — part of the head
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. degree — an amount
  7. bore — to drill
  8. vault — in gymnastics
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. lash — to lash out
  11. mug — to rob
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. mug — a face
  16. degree — from a university
  17. bore — to tire
  18. vault — an arched ceiling
  19. face — to point toward
  20. mug — a cup
  21. lie — to recline
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. bore — gave birth
  24. face — to confront

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