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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: can · tube · hide · lash · mark · fine · spring · rock

  1. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  5. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  8. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  20. I'll be taking the ________________.
  21. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. fine — a penalty
  2. spring — the season
  3. can — a tin
  4. lash — an eyelash
  5. hide — to keep secret
  6. mark — a grade
  7. lash — to lash out
  8. tube — in a tire
  9. mark — a trace
  10. hide — animal skin
  11. fine — all right
  12. fine — high quality
  13. can — a tin
  14. can — to be able to
  15. tube — a container
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. lash — a whip stroke
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. spring — of water
  20. tube — the underground
  21. spring — a coil
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. rock — a stone
  24. rock — music

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