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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 116 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: safe · spring · lash · pass · mate · calf · craft · fall

  1. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  2. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  5. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  6. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  7. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  8. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  11. Have you found your soul ________________?
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  14. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  19. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  23. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. spring — of water
  2. craft — a skill
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. calf — of the leg
  5. lash — to lash out
  6. spring — a coil
  7. lash — an eyelash
  8. fall — to drop
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. craft — boats
  11. mate — a partner
  12. pass — a permit
  13. fall — to drop
  14. craft — a handicraft
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. fall — the season
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. spring — the season
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. mate — to breed
  23. mate — a friend
  24. safe — a strongbox

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