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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: safe · drill · dip · foot · lash · plane · suit · can

  1. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  2. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  8. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  9. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  12. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  23. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  24. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. drill — the tool
  2. lash — to lash out
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. suit — clothes
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. foot — part of the body
  8. foot — a measure
  9. drill — army training
  10. plane — a tool
  11. dip — to sink
  12. dip — a sauce
  13. suit — to fit
  14. dip — to dunk
  15. suit — in cards
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. can — a tin
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. can — to be able to
  21. can — a tin
  22. foot — the bottom
  23. drill — a practice
  24. lash — a whip stroke

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