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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: bound · lash · tear · fine · bass · can · present · safe

  1. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. It is only in accepting others that we can ________________ down our own barriers.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  5. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  6. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  7. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  14. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  15. I cannot shed a ________________ for that horrible man.
  16. That was ________________ to happen.
  17. Drying a ________________ is more honorable than shedding torrents of blood.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  21. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  24. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. tear — to rip
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. bound — tied together
  5. lash — to lash out
  6. present — there
  7. present — the time now
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. can — a tin
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. fine — high quality
  12. can — to be able to
  13. bass — low music
  14. bound — obliged
  15. tear — from crying
  16. bound — certain
  17. tear — from crying
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. bass — the instrument
  21. bass — the fish
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. fine — all right
  24. present — a gift

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