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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
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 · lie · safe · straw · season · content · charge · bowl

  1. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. Did you ________________ the meat?
  4. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  5. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  6. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  7. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  10. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  13. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. That must've been a ________________.
  20. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  21. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. content — videos and posts
  2. lie — to recline
  3. season — to add flavour
  4. content — the amount
  5. charge — in control
  6. straw — dry grass
  7. season — in sport
  8. rush — hurry
  9. bowl — a football final
  10. straw — to clutch at straws
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. straw — a straw man
  13. season — of the year
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. charge — electricity
  16. charge — a price
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. rush — a thrill
  20. bowl — to roll
  21. content — happy
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. safe — out of danger

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