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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: saw · face · stand · safe · lash · ball · deal · suit

  1. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. I can't ________________ this cold.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  6. The King held a masked ________________.
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  10. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. She's very handy with a ________________.
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. He works in a ________________ mill.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. face — to confront
  2. suit — in cards
  3. stand — to bear
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. deal — an agreement
  6. ball — a dance
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. face — part of the head
  10. deal — a big deal
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. lash — an eyelash
  13. suit — to fit
  14. saw — the tool
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. ball — a great time
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. saw — the tool
  20. deal — to handle
  21. face — to point toward
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. suit — clothes

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