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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: lean · safe · face · fine · current · lash · date · jam

  1. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  4. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  5. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  6. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  7. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  8. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  9. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  10. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  13. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  14. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  15. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  20. Have you settled on a ________________?
  21. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  22. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  23. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. lean — to rest against
  4. face — to point toward
  5. lean — to bend
  6. current — electric
  7. lash — a whip stroke
  8. current — of water
  9. lean — thin
  10. face — part of the head
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. face — to confront
  13. fine — high quality
  14. fine — all right
  15. date — on the calendar
  16. current — happening now
  17. fine — a penalty
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. lash — to lash out
  20. date — on the calendar
  21. date — the fruit
  22. jam — in traffic
  23. jam — a tight spot
  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