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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: last · safe · rash · suit · stand · current · lash · sharp

  1. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  2. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. I can't ________________ this cold.
  4. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. False peace will not ________________.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. Don't do anything ________________.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  16. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  17. It's one o'clock ________________.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  22. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  23. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  24. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.

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

Answer key

  1. last — final
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. stand — to bear
  4. sharp — clever
  5. suit — in cards
  6. last — to go on
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. suit — to fit
  9. rash — hasty
  10. current — happening now
  11. suit — clothes
  12. rash — on the skin
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. rash — a series
  16. lash — a whip stroke
  17. sharp — exactly
  18. current — of water
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. current — electric
  21. last — finally
  22. stand — for spectators
  23. sharp — with an edge
  24. lash — to lash out

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