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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.

Make a worksheet

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: stand · safe · mug · last · foot · can · key · lash

  1. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  9. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  10. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. False peace will not ________________.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. I can't ________________ this cold.
  21. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. foot — a measure
  2. key — in music
  3. mug — to rob
  4. foot — part of the body
  5. can — to be able to
  6. can — a tin
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. last — final
  9. foot — the bottom
  10. lash — a whip stroke
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. key — the most important part
  13. mug — a cup
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. last — to go on
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. stand — on your feet
  18. mug — a face
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. stand — to bear
  21. last — finally
  22. can — a tin
  23. stand — for spectators
  24. key — for a lock

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