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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 120 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: root · lash · sharp · fine · charge · key · safe · wake

  1. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  3. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  4. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  5. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  6. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  7. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  11. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  12. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. It's one o'clock ________________.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  21. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  22. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. key — for a lock
  3. lash — to lash out
  4. wake — a trail
  5. fine — high quality
  6. root — of a plant
  7. wake — to stop sleeping
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. wake — before a funeral
  11. sharp — clever
  12. sharp — with an edge
  13. charge — a price
  14. sharp — exactly
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. charge — in control
  17. charge — electricity
  18. key — in music
  19. key — the most important part
  20. root — the cause
  21. fine — a penalty
  22. root — of a word
  23. fine — all right
  24. safe — out of danger

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