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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: lash · rock · board · dip · key · hand · hide · safe

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  5. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  9. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  10. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  17. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  20. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  23. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  24. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. board — to get on
  3. rock — a stone
  4. dip — to sink
  5. board — a committee
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. hand — help
  10. dip — to dunk
  11. key — in music
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. lash — to lash out
  14. key — the most important part
  15. key — for a lock
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. board — a flat piece
  18. rock — music
  19. hand — part of the body
  20. dip — a sauce
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. lash — an eyelash
  23. hand — in cards
  24. hide — animal skin

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