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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
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: rash · safe · bass · date · lie · root · rush · calf

  1. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  3. Have you settled on a ________________?
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  10. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  17. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  18. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  19. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  20. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  21. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. Don't do anything ________________.
  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. calf — a young animal
  2. date — on the calendar
  3. date — on the calendar
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. root — of a word
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. bass — low music
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. rush — hurry
  10. root — of a plant
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. bass — the fish
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. lie — to recline
  17. root — the cause
  18. date — the fruit
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. bass — the instrument
  21. rash — a series
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. rash — hasty
  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