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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: lash · pitcher · wake · mouse · face · safe · deal · cue

  1. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  2. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  3. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  6. He is an ace ________________.
  7. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  8. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  9. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  13. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  14. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  15. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  16. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  17. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  21. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.

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

Answer key

  1. face — to point toward
  2. cue — for pool
  3. pitcher — a jug
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. lash — to lash out
  6. pitcher — in baseball
  7. face — part of the head
  8. deal — to handle
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. wake — to stop sleeping
  13. deal — a big deal
  14. wake — before a funeral
  15. cue — a signal
  16. pitcher — a jug
  17. lash — an eyelash
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. cue — a hint
  20. lash — a whip stroke
  21. wake — a trail
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. face — to confront

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