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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 120 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: safe · racket · lash · scale · track · spell · foot · suit

  1. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  2. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  5. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  9. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  10. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  11. How do you ________________ your surname?
  12. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  15. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  16. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  17. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  18. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  19. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  20. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. track — a path
  2. spell — magic
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. racket — a loud noise
  5. lash — to lash out
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. suit — clothes
  8. foot — a measure
  9. scale — for weighing
  10. track — to keep track
  11. spell — letters
  12. foot — the bottom
  13. suit — to fit
  14. scale — in music
  15. track — a song
  16. foot — part of the body
  17. spell — a short time
  18. scale — size or range
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. racket — for tennis
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. suit — in cards

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