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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: lash · toast · chip · racket · face · safe · stem · spell

  1. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  3. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  4. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  5. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  8. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  9. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  10. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  11. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  17. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  20. How do you ________________ your surname?
  21. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  22. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. She had a strange look on her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. face — to point toward
  3. chip — in a computer
  4. spell — magic
  5. lash — to lash out
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. stem — to come from
  8. spell — a short time
  9. stem — of a plant
  10. chip — for betting
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. toast — bread
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. racket — for tennis
  17. chip — to eat
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. racket — a loud noise
  20. spell — letters
  21. face — to confront
  22. stem — a stem cell
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. face — part of the head

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