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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
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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 · kick · wake · deal · lean · suit · leaves · spring

  1. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  13. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  14. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  15. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  16. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  19. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  20. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.

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

Answer key

  1. spring — of water
  2. deal — to handle
  3. suit — clothes
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. lean — to rest against
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. suit — in cards
  8. suit — to fit
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. spring — a coil
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. kick — with a leg
  13. spring — the season
  14. kick — a thrill
  15. wake — to stop sleeping
  16. kick — in football
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. wake — before a funeral
  19. lean — thin
  20. lean — to bend
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. wake — a trail

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