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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: rash · bowl · track · can · rest · pass · lash · safe

  1. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  11. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  12. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  13. Don't do anything ________________.
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  16. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  17. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  23. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  24. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. rash — a series
  3. can — a tin
  4. bowl — to roll
  5. pass — a permit
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. lash — to lash out
  11. rest — what's left
  12. rest — what's left
  13. rash — hasty
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. bowl — a football final
  16. track — a song
  17. track — to keep track
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. rest — a break
  21. can — to be able to
  22. bowl — a dish
  23. lash — an eyelash
  24. track — a path

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