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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 116 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.

Make a worksheet

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: bear · ball · scale · season · leaves · safe · rest · lash

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. Did you ________________ the meat?
  6. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  7. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  10. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  11. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  12. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  18. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. The King held a masked ________________.
  23. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  24. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. scale — size or range
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. season — to add flavour
  6. scale — in music
  7. bear — the animal
  8. season — in sport
  9. rest — what's left
  10. ball — a round shape
  11. rest — what's left
  12. scale — for weighing
  13. ball — a great time
  14. bear — to put up with
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. lash — a whip stroke
  18. bear — the animal
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. season — of the year
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. ball — a dance
  23. rest — a break
  24. leaves — to go away

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