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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.

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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: lash · safe · jam · bore · bay · fan · hide · root

  1. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  11. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  17. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  18. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  19. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. My mare is ________________ in color.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  24. Would you like some apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to tire
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. lash — to lash out
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. root — the cause
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. root — of a plant
  11. bay — to keep at bay
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. bay — a part of the sea
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. bore — gave birth
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. bore — to drill
  19. hide — animal skin
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. bay — a horse colour
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. root — of a word
  24. jam — to spread on bread

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