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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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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: lash · suit · staff · tube · safe · mark · ground · leaves

  1. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  4. I'll be taking the ________________.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  11. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  12. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  17. There's no middle ________________.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. tube — in a tire
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. mark — to pay attention
  4. tube — the underground
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. staff — employees
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. suit — in cards
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. ground — crushed
  11. staff — employees
  12. mark — a grade
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. suit — clothes
  15. suit — to fit
  16. ground — the earth
  17. ground — a position
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. tube — a container
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. mark — a trace
  23. staff — a stick
  24. leaves — lets stay

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