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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: leaves · rash · mark · lean · safe · cap · staff · can

  1. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  5. Don't do anything ________________.
  6. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  7. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  10. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  13. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  16. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  23. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. rash — on the skin
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. staff — employees
  5. rash — hasty
  6. mark — a trace
  7. staff — a stick
  8. mark — a grade
  9. cap — a lid
  10. lean — to rest against
  11. can — a tin
  12. cap — of ice
  13. lean — to bend
  14. can — a tin
  15. rash — a series
  16. lean — thin
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. staff — employees
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. cap — a hat
  23. leaves — of a tree
  24. can — to be able to

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