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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: tube · leaves · mug · craft · can · lash · toast · roll

  1. We're on a ________________ here.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  4. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  5. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  8. I'll be taking the ________________.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  11. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — on a roll
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. tube — a container
  4. craft — boats
  5. craft — a handicraft
  6. can — to be able to
  7. lash — an eyelash
  8. tube — the underground
  9. can — a tin
  10. tube — in a tire
  11. craft — a skill
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. roll — a cake
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. mug — a cup
  16. roll — a list
  17. can — a tin
  18. mug — a face
  19. toast — the most admired
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. mug — to rob
  23. toast — bread
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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