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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: lash · face · pitch · key · date · dip · present · spell

  1. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  6. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  7. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  8. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  11. Have you settled on a ________________?
  12. How do you ________________ your surname?
  13. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  16. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  17. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  18. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  19. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  20. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  21. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  24. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.

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

Answer key

  1. date — the fruit
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. key — in music
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. present — the time now
  6. pitch — a sales talk
  7. pitch — completely
  8. face — to point toward
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. dip — to sink
  11. date — on the calendar
  12. spell — letters
  13. dip — a sauce
  14. key — the most important part
  15. face — part of the head
  16. present — there
  17. spell — magic
  18. spell — a short time
  19. face — to confront
  20. date — on the calendar
  21. present — a gift
  22. key — for a lock
  23. pitch — a sports field
  24. dip — to dunk

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