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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: safe · fine · stand · mouse · bank · pitcher · lash · track

  1. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  6. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  10. He is an ace ________________.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  14. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  15. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  16. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  17. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  18. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  19. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  23. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  24. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — a whip stroke
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. fine — high quality
  4. bank — for money
  5. bank — for money
  6. track — a song
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. pitcher — a jug
  10. pitcher — in baseball
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. mouse — for a computer
  14. bank — of a river
  15. track — to keep track
  16. track — a path
  17. fine — all right
  18. stand — for spectators
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. stand — to bear
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. lash — to lash out

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