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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.

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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: mate · lash · safe · lie · track · bank · pass · fine

  1. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  2. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  3. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  4. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  8. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  14. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  15. Have you found your soul ________________?
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  19. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.

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

Answer key

  1. mate — to breed
  2. lash — to lash out
  3. track — to keep track
  4. lash — an eyelash
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. lash — a whip stroke
  8. track — a path
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. fine — all right
  11. bank — for money
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. fine — a penalty
  14. mate — a friend
  15. mate — a partner
  16. pass — a permit
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. bank — of a river
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. lie — to recline
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. fine — high quality
  23. bank — for money
  24. track — a song

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