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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: lash · coach · current · leaves · calf · safe · pass · mate

  1. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. Have you found your soul ________________?
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. Have you met the new head ________________?
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. mate — to breed
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. lash — to lash out
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. current — happening now
  6. calf — of the leg
  7. pass — a permit
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. current — of water
  10. lash — a whip stroke
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. mate — a friend
  13. current — electric
  14. leaves — lets stay
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. mate — a partner
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. coach — pulled by horses
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. leaves — to go away
  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