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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: rash · bowl · pit · key · lie · lash · wax · patient

  1. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  3. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  4. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  5. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  6. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  7. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  10. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  13. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  14. Don't do anything ________________.
  15. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  20. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  24. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. wax — to grow
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. wax — in the ear
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. wax — for sculpting
  7. pit — in a race
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. rash — on the skin
  10. pit — a hole
  11. key — for a lock
  12. patient — calm and waiting
  13. lie — to recline
  14. rash — hasty
  15. bowl — a football final
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. key — in music
  18. key — the most important part
  19. pit — a fruit stone
  20. bowl — to roll
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. patient — a sick person
  24. lash — a whip stroke

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