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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: rock · file · charge · rash · lie · foot · sharp · safe

  1. Don't do anything ________________.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  5. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  8. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  9. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  10. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  11. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. It's one o'clock ________________.
  16. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. rash — hasty
  2. rock — a stone
  3. rash — a series
  4. sharp — clever
  5. file — a document
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. rash — on the skin
  8. file — a tool
  9. foot — a measure
  10. charge — in control
  11. foot — the bottom
  12. charge — a price
  13. file — a line of people
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. sharp — exactly
  16. foot — part of the body
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. charge — electricity
  21. sharp — with an edge
  22. rock — music
  23. lie — to recline
  24. lie — an untruth

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