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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.

Make a worksheet

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: season · mouse · roll · lean · lash · saw · safe · deal

  1. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  2. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  3. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. He works in a ________________ mill.
  7. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. We're on a ________________ here.
  10. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  11. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  12. Did you ________________ the meat?
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  16. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  17. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  18. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  19. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  20. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  21. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  22. She's very handy with a ________________.
  23. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  24. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — for a computer
  2. lash — to lash out
  3. lean — to rest against
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. saw — the tool
  7. lash — a whip stroke
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. roll — on a roll
  10. deal — a big deal
  11. lean — thin
  12. season — to add flavour
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. lean — to bend
  16. season — of the year
  17. roll — a list
  18. saw — past of 'see'
  19. lash — an eyelash
  20. roll — a cake
  21. deal — to handle
  22. saw — the tool
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. season — in sport

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