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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.

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 · mate · pass · lash · staff · pitcher · leaves · rock

  1. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  6. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  11. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Have you found your soul ________________?
  14. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  15. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  16. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  17. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  18. He is an ace ________________.
  19. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  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. pass — a permit
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. pitcher — a jug
  4. rock — a stone
  5. pass — to succeed
  6. rock — music
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. mate — a friend
  11. staff — a stick
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. mate — a partner
  14. staff — employees
  15. mate — to breed
  16. leaves — of a tree
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. pitcher — in baseball
  19. staff — employees
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. pass — to spend time
  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