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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: lean · bank · rash · safe · lash · prune · plane · face

  1. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  2. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  3. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  6. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  10. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  11. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  12. The ________________ took off on time.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  16. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  17. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  18. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  19. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  20. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  21. Don't do anything ________________.
  22. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — the fruit
  2. lean — to rest against
  3. rash — on the skin
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. lean — to bend
  6. lean — thin
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. bank — of a river
  9. face — to point toward
  10. lash — to lash out
  11. face — to confront
  12. plane — an aircraft
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. plane — a tool
  15. face — part of the head
  16. prune — to trim
  17. lash — a whip stroke
  18. lash — an eyelash
  19. rash — a series
  20. prune — to trim
  21. rash — hasty
  22. plane — in geometry
  23. bank — for money
  24. bank — for money

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