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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.

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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: pass · sharp · lash · scale · safe · court · spell · track

  1. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  2. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  6. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  10. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  11. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  14. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  15. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  16. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  19. It's one o'clock ________________.
  20. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  21. The ball is in your ________________.
  22. How do you ________________ your surname?
  23. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — a short time
  2. sharp — clever
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. scale — for weighing
  6. track — a song
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. court — of a king
  10. lash — a whip stroke
  11. lash — to lash out
  12. pass — a permit
  13. scale — in music
  14. court — of law
  15. spell — magic
  16. scale — size or range
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. track — to keep track
  19. sharp — exactly
  20. track — a path
  21. court — for sport
  22. spell — letters
  23. sharp — with an edge
  24. safe — a strongbox

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