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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.

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: pass · lash · suit · prune · rock · lean · season · safe

  1. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  2. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  3. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  13. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  18. Did you ________________ the meat?
  19. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  24. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.

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

Answer key

  1. season — of the year
  2. prune — the fruit
  3. season — in sport
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. pass — to succeed
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. suit — to fit
  8. suit — clothes
  9. rock — a stone
  10. suit — in cards
  11. rock — music
  12. lean — to rest against
  13. lash — to lash out
  14. pass — a permit
  15. lash — a whip stroke
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. prune — to trim
  18. season — to add flavour
  19. lean — thin
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. prune — to trim
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. rock — to move gently
  24. lean — to bend

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