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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.

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: safe · racket · lash · hide · track · scale · current · lie

  1. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  3. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  4. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  5. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  8. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  11. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  12. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  13. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  17. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  18. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  19. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. track — a path
  3. current — electric
  4. racket — for tennis
  5. track — a song
  6. current — happening now
  7. hide — animal skin
  8. lie — to recline
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. scale — in music
  12. lash — an eyelash
  13. scale — size or range
  14. current — of water
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. racket — a loud noise
  17. track — to keep track
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. lash — to lash out
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. racket — for tennis
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. hide — to keep secret

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