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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
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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 · bore · safe · lie · drill · sharp · ground · bank

  1. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  4. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. It's one o'clock ________________.
  7. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  8. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  9. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  10. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  11. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  14. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  15. There's no middle ________________.
  16. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  23. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  24. This knife is not ________________ enough.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. drill — the tool
  4. bore — to tire
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. sharp — exactly
  7. lash — to lash out
  8. ground — the earth
  9. bore — to drill
  10. sharp — clever
  11. bank — of a river
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. drill — a practice
  14. bank — for money
  15. ground — a position
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. lie — to recline
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. ground — crushed
  20. bank — for money
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. bore — gave birth
  23. drill — army training
  24. sharp — with an edge

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