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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
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: rush · perch · calf · spell · lash · suit · dip · fall

  1. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. That must've been a ________________.
  4. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  5. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  8. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  12. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  13. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  14. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. How do you ________________ your surname?
  17. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  18. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  19. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  20. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  21. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  22. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. He had ________________ pain while walking.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. dip — to sink
  3. rush — a thrill
  4. fall — to drop
  5. dip — a sauce
  6. suit — in cards
  7. rush — hurry
  8. perch — the fish
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. suit — to fit
  11. dip — to dunk
  12. lash — to lash out
  13. perch — for a bird
  14. rush — to hurry
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. spell — letters
  17. spell — a short time
  18. fall — to drop
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. fall — the season
  21. spell — magic
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. suit — clothes
  24. calf — of the leg

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