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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 120 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.

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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: track · arm · cabinet · safe · rash · lash · vault · saw

  1. She's very handy with a ________________.
  2. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  3. He works in a ________________ mill.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  12. My father caught me by the ________________.
  13. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  14. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  15. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  19. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  20. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  23. Don't do anything ________________.
  24. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. track — a path
  3. saw — the tool
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. saw — past of 'see'
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. lash — to lash out
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. track — to keep track
  12. arm — part of the body
  13. vault — in gymnastics
  14. arm — part of the body
  15. rash — on the skin
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. track — a song
  19. vault — an arched ceiling
  20. vault — a safe
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. rash — a series
  23. rash — hasty
  24. arm — a part of something

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