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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.

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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: rash · face · cap · lash · pass · safe · arm · deal

  1. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  3. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  4. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  7. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  8. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  9. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  10. Don't do anything ________________.
  11. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  14. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. My father caught me by the ________________.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  22. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  23. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  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. safe — a strongbox
  2. cap — a lid
  3. lash — a whip stroke
  4. lash — an eyelash
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. face — part of the head
  7. arm — a part of something
  8. deal — to handle
  9. rash — a series
  10. rash — hasty
  11. cap — a hat
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. deal — a big deal
  14. arm — part of the body
  15. pass — a permit
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. cap — of ice
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. face — to confront
  22. rash — on the skin
  23. face — to point toward
  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