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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.

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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: last · lash · ruler · dip · bay · row · bulb · safe

  1. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  2. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  5. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  6. False peace will not ________________.
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  11. My mare is ________________ in color.
  12. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  13. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  19. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  20. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  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. dip — a sauce
  2. ruler — a monarch
  3. bulb — for light
  4. bay — to keep at bay
  5. row — a line
  6. last — to go on
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. last — finally
  9. bulb — for light
  10. row — a quarrel
  11. bay — a horse colour
  12. dip — to sink
  13. row — to paddle
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. dip — to dunk
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. bay — a part of the sea
  19. lash — an eyelash
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. last — final
  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