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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 116 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: charge · rock · ground · calf · bay · face · safe · lash

  1. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. My mare is ________________ in color.
  3. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  4. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. The tickets are free of ________________.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  10. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. There's no middle ________________.
  16. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a part of the sea
  2. bay — a horse colour
  3. face — to confront
  4. ground — the earth
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. charge — a price
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. face — part of the head
  10. rock — music
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. charge — electricity
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. ground — a position
  16. face — to point toward
  17. rock — a stone
  18. ground — crushed
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. lash — an eyelash
  23. charge — in control
  24. rock — to move gently

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