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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 120 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: rush · bear · lash · bulb · craft · racket · pass · lean

  1. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  2. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  5. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  6. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  11. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  12. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  17. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  20. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  21. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.

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

Answer key

  1. lean — to bend
  2. craft — a handicraft
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. bear — to put up with
  5. lean — to rest against
  6. bear — the animal
  7. bulb — for light
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. rush — hurry
  11. craft — a skill
  12. racket — for tennis
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. craft — boats
  17. lash — a whip stroke
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. racket — a loud noise
  20. lean — thin
  21. bear — the animal
  22. bulb — for light
  23. pass — a permit
  24. racket — for tennis

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