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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 120 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: calf · season · lash · bay · safe · stick · charge · rash

  1. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  2. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  3. Did you ________________ the meat?
  4. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  9. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  10. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  11. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  12. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  15. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  16. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  17. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  18. Don't do anything ________________.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. My mare is ________________ in color.
  23. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  24. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. season — to add flavour
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. charge — electricity
  8. season — of the year
  9. stick — to attach or keep to
  10. charge — in control
  11. rash — a series
  12. lash — to lash out
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. rash — on the skin
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. calf — of the leg
  17. season — in sport
  18. rash — hasty
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. bay — a part of the sea
  21. charge — a price
  22. bay — a horse colour
  23. bay — to keep at bay
  24. lash — a whip stroke

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