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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
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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: rest · lash · mouse · bulb · vault · rash · mug · lie

  1. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. Don't do anything ________________.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  11. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  12. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  13. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  14. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  15. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  20. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  21. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  22. I've got to change the light ________________.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. bulb — for light
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. rash — hasty
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. mug — a cup
  8. mug — to rob
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. mug — a face
  11. lash — an eyelash
  12. vault — in gymnastics
  13. lash — to lash out
  14. rest — what's left
  15. lash — a whip stroke
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. vault — an arched ceiling
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. vault — a safe
  20. rest — what's left
  21. rest — a break
  22. bulb — for light
  23. lie — to recline
  24. rash — a series

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